Alan Kelly
Question:694. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of the 2023 budget for the free travel scheme that was actually spent. [45029/24]
View answerTuesday, 5 November 2024
Questions (694)
Written answers
The Free Travel scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those aged under 66 on certain qualifying payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. From 29th of July 2024, the scheme was extended to people who are medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months.
The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by private bus and ferry transport operators countrywide.
In 2023, the original estimate for Free Travel was €95m and the outturn was €92.577m. Therefore, the percentage which was actually spent was 97.4%.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.