265. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the financial supports currently available to assist low-income households with healthcare-related access costs, including travel and accommodation expenses associated with attending medical appointments or receiving treatment; if she will provide details of any eligibility criteria and application processes for such supports; if consideration is being given to expanding these supports in light of the increased cost burden on households accessing healthcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66225/26]

The Free Travel Scheme is 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.

From the 29th of July 2024, the Free Travel Scheme was extended to those who are deemed medically unfit to drive for greater than 12 months due to a medical condition.

As part of the Government measures announced in Budget 2025 a Free Travel Companion Pass was assigned to all those aged over 70. This measure ensured that all those over 70 can avail of a Free Travel Companion Pass automatically, which will enable them and a companion to travel for free on public transport services, LUAS and a range of services offered by up to 70 private operators in various parts of the country.

While over 1.1 million people have direct access to the Free Travel Scheme, with an estimated expenditure of €113.73 million in 2026, I understand that there will always be cases where people are not eligible for the scheme and cannot avail of free travel. It is for this reason that my Department provides support through the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources.

This can include assistance with transport and other essential costs incurred for attending hospital appointments where there are no other supports available. A travel supplement may be paid where a person has a recurring travel expense such as where a person has ongoing travel costs for hospital visits.

The decision process for Additional Needs Payments involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. This ensures that support is provided to people with the greatest financial need.

In considering an Additional Needs Payment application, the Community Welfare Officer in addition to the assessment of the ability of the person to meet the need considers any alternatives available to the customer, including supports and services offered by the Health Service Executive. Additional Needs Payments are not generally intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency.

Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via http://www.mywelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.