Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan has said the extension of the free travel pass will transform the lives of people with disabilities who cannot drive, especially those with epilepsy.  

The Louth Senator said the Government measure will benefit a range of people with disabilities who are medically certified as not fit to drive.  

Senator McGeehan, Fianna Fáil’s Disability Spokesperson, had raised the matter in the Seanad on numerous occasions.

“I’m delighted that the free travel pass has been extended to people who are not fit to drive. This Government measure will transform the lives of those who struggle to travel and get to work because they are not permitted to drive themselves,” Senator McGreehan said.

“Epilepsy is a neurological condition affecting nearly 40,000 people across the country and many local people with the condition had told me about their transport worries because they are excluded from driving. The extension of the free travel pass will benefit not only epilepsy suffers, but all those people with disabilities that stops them from driving.”

From this week, 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.

It is the first time a Free Travel Pass has been available to persons not in receipt of a Pension or qualifying Social Welfare Payment.

The scheme, announced as part of Budget 2024, allows 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.

ENDS