2101. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection the process through which the free travel scheme operates; how are transport operators compensated for providing eligible services for free travel pass holders; how are transport operators in the North of Ireland compensated for providing eligible services for free travel pass holders who also have a senior SmartPass. [63850/26]

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.

Payments for most services operated by the National Transport Authority (NTA), such as Irish Rail, Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus, LUAS and Local Link, are made by way of bulk payments. In 2025, the NTA received payments totalling €60.9m from my Department in respect of Free Travel undertaken on their services.

Payment rates for most private transport operators in the Free Travel scheme are determined by way of a survey of the level of usage by Free Travel passholders on their services. Surveys are carried out periodically during a period of 12 months. When the survey period has been completed, the rate of payment is set for up to 3 years. Payments are made at a rate of 70% of the total free travel fares forgone during the survey period.

Following a recommendation by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, my Department has begun implementing the use of real time non-personalised fares forgone data in respect of free travel passenger usage, where such data can be provided by an operator using the NTA's Integrated Ticketing System to determine the rate of payment to transport operators. These payments are also made at a rate of 70% of the total fares forgone recorded during the period.

Operators who carry eligible Free Travel pass holders in Northern Ireland are paid based on data and invoices submitted for Free Travel journeys undertaken on their services.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.