2099. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department collects data on the practice of transport operators registered under the free travel scheme charging free travel pass holders booking fees for eligible services, including data such as the value of booking fees applied to free travel pass holders for eligible services; the total annual value of booking fees collected by each registered operator from free travel pass holders; if this data is available, to provide it for the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; if this data is not collected, to provide the rationale for not collecting it. [63842/26]

The Free Travel scheme is available to people over 66 years and to people in receipt of certain social welfare payments, or those medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months, who are over 17 and under 66 years. Free Travel recipients must be permanently resident in the State. The scheme permits travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Luas, Local Link and some 71 private operators. Free travel is also available on cross border journeys to and from Northern Ireland, and for those over age 66, within Northern Ireland.

Under the Free Travel scheme, there is no requirement or impediment for transport operators to provide additional services such as a seat booking service. Some travel operators have introduced online booking services for customers who wish to guarantee their seat on a particular service. This is entirely a matter for the transport operator concerned and my Department does not collect data regarding the booking service or fee.

Free Travel recipients wishing to avail of free travel do not have to pre-book services with any operator participating in the Free Travel scheme. They can continue to present on their preferred day of travel and avail of Free Travel using their Public Services Card.

It is open to any Free Travel customer who wants to be guaranteed a seat on a particular service to book their seat in advance, where a booking facility exists. My Department has no control over the fee a transport operator may charge for their seat booking facility.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.