Mark Wall
Ceist:576. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of expanding the free travel scheme to recipients of the domiciliary care payment. [37460/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 8 July 2025
Ceisteanna (576)
Freagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government 2025 has committed to examining extending the Free Travel scheme to include children benefitting from the Domiciliary Care Allowance.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a non means tested payment payable at €360 a month per child. In addition, all recipients of Domiciliary Care Allowance qualify for the Carer's Support Grant in June of each year. The current rate is €2,000 per year.
If the Free Travel scheme was extended to include children benefitting from the Domiciliary Care Allowance, it is estimated that up to 65,000 children would benefit from the measure in 2026. Based on 65,000 children benefitting from the Domiciliary Care Allowance, it is estimated that extending the Free Travel scheme to include those children, would cost in the region of €7m in a full year.
The modelling of the cost is complex and needs to take account of multiple factors, including all children under five already have free travel on public transport and children under 16 benefit from significantly reduced rates. It is also important to remember that it is the parent or guardian who receives Domiciliary Care Allowance - it is not paid directly to the child.
The extension of Free Travel will have to be considered in the context of the budgetary resources available.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.