Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2025
661. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection the take up to date of the concession of free travel to those medically unfit to drive; and the number of children who will benefit from free travel. [51914/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public transport services and on private transport services operating the Free Travel scheme. There are over 1.1 million customers with direct eligibility for Free Travel.
As part of Budget 2024, Free Travel was extended to people who are medically certified as unfit to drive.
From 29th July 2024, the measure extended access to the Free Travel scheme to:
• people who have never been medically fit to drive due to a disability; and
• drivers who have a license and have been deemed medically unfit to drive for a period of one year or longer.
There is no requirement to satisfy a means test or that the person be in receipt of a Social Protection payment to qualify for Free Travel for those medically unfit to drive.
Application forms are available to download online at www.gov.ie/ft. Alternatively, application forms are available from any Intreo Centre, or by contacting the Free Travel Section by telephone at 0818 200 400 or by email at freetravelqueries@welfare.ie. Information in relation to Free Travel is also available on the Citizen's Information website.
3,478 customers are benefiting from this extension to the Free Travel scheme at end August 2025 (see table by county in the attached document).
Currently 288 children under the age of 16 are entitled to the Free Travel scheme.
Earlier this month, my colleague, the Minister for Transport launched the TFI Child Leap Card, extending free travel on all TFI services to children between 5 to 8 years of age. This measure was announced as part of the Budget 2025 package of measures and delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to make public transport more affordable and accessible for families.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
FTM Awarded by County Up to 31/08/2025
|
Carlow |
24 |
|
Cavan |
31 |
|
Clare |
68 |
|
Cork |
364 |
|
Donegal |
92 |
|
Dublin |
1340 |
|
Galway |
172 |
|
Kerry |
64 |
|
Kildare |
183 |
|
Kilkenny |
36 |
|
Laois |
55 |
|
Leitrim |
22 |
|
Limerick |
116 |
|
Longford |
24 |
|
Louth |
104 |
|
Mayo |
82 |
|
Meath |
137 |
|
Monaghan |
24 |
|
Offaly |
41 |
|
Roscommon |
31 |
|
Sligo |
54 |
|
Tipperary |
93 |
|
Waterford |
80 |
|
Westmeath |
42 |
|
Wexford |
84 |
|
Wicklow |
115 |
|
Grand Total |
3478 |
