Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 January 2026
459. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that a child aged 9 years-of-age or over travelling on public transport with a medical card is entitled to an accompanying adult who travels for free, but the child themselves does not travel for free; if she will ensure both child and accompanying adult will travel for free; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7305/26]
View answerThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical cards holders) and limited eligibility (all others).
Medical card holders can access a range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all public hospital in-patient services including consultant services, all public hospital out-patient services including consultant services, home nursing, dental, ophthalmic, and aural services and appliances. Apart from prescribed drugs and medicines, which are subject to a prescription charge, public health services are provided free of charge to medical card holders.
Regarding free travel on public transport, the Free Travel Scheme is operated by the Department of Social Protection and details are available at: [Free Travel Scheme] www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/free-travel-scheme/. Further queries in relation to the scheme should be directed to the Department of Social Protection.
