Minister Humphreys meets with Epilepsy Ireland to announce New Free Travel Scheme Extension

• Free Travel available from July for people medically certified as not fit to drive
• 32,000 people expected to benefit from this measure in 2024

To mark International Epilepsy Day, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, met with Epilepsy Ireland to announce details of a New Free Travel Scheme Extension.

From July, the Free Travel Scheme is being extended to people who have never been able to drive due to a disability, and to drivers who have a licence and are medically certified as not fit to drive for a period of 12 months or longer.

This measure was secured by Minister Humphreys as part of Budget 2024 and is expected to benefit 32,000 people this year at a cost of €8.5 million.

The scheme will allow eligible people to access free travel on all public transport provided by the State. This includes bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas, along with some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators.

Commenting today, Minister Humphreys said:

"I'm very pleased to announce this significant expansion of the Free Travel Scheme.

"From July, the Free Travel scheme will be available to people who have never been able to drive due to a medical condition. I am also making the scheme available to people who have a license but are medically certified as not fit to drive for 12 months or longer.

"This measure is expected to benefit some 32,000 people this year and will give them access to free travel on all public transport provided by the State. It will benefit people with a range of disabilities including, for example those with epilepsy, and, as such, face additional transport costs, especially when commuting to work.

"My Department is working on the required system changes to deliver this extension of Free Travel from July, while application forms will be available from May for those who wish to apply.

"I was delighted to work closely with Epilepsy Ireland and I want to commend them for their efforts in highlighting the importance of this new policy for their members."

Peter Murphy, Chief Executive of Epilepsy Ireland commented:

"The measure secured by Minister Humphreys as part of Budget 24 is something that Epilepsy Ireland have sought for many years, and we are delighted that improved access to the Free Travel scheme is set to be introduced in July. It is fitting that the official announcement of the changes comes on International Epilepsy Day, as the measures being introduced will be of huge benefit to people with epilepsy living across Ireland. We would like to thank Minister Humphreys for her commitment to addressing this issue, and for helping to ease some of the impact that being unable to drive due to a long-term medical condition can have on a person's life."

Notes:

• Who currently qualifies for Free Travel?

The Free Travel Scheme is currently available to everyone who is 66 or over, and to certain people who are under 66 in receipt of qualifying payments or who meet the medical conditions for Blind Pension, and legally living permanently in the State.

If you qualify for Free Travel and you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, your partner may travel with you for free if you meet certain criteria.

If you can't travel alone for medical reasons, you may get Free Travel for a companion. This allows a person aged over 16 to travel with you for free.

The Free Travel Scheme allows for free travel on public transport provided by the State. This includes bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas. Free travel is also available on some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators.

There are currently over one million people with direct eligibility to a free travel pass. This figure increases to over 1.8 million when companion and spousal passes are taken into consideration.

For more information on the Free Travel Scheme visit www.Gov.ie/FreeTravel.

• About International Epilepsy Day

International Epilepsy Day is a global event celebrated in over 180 countries aimed at raising awareness of epilepsy. The condition affects over 50 million people worldwide and over 45,000 people in Ireland. As the national patient organisation representing people with epilepsy and their families, Epilepsy Ireland lead the awareness raising efforts in Ireland and this year, Epilepsy Ireland are seeking the public learn more about seizure first aid and their key words of Time, Safe, Stay.

For more information on epilepsy, Epilepsy Ireland and the Time, Safe, Stay campaign for International Epilepsy Day, visit www.epilepsy.ie.