Written answers
Tuesday, 18 June 2024
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Schemes
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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214. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who holds a free travel pass can travel free of charge on a ferry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25952/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Free Travel scheme is available to people over 66 years and to people in receipt of certain social welfare payments who are under 66 years. From 29th July 2024, Free Travel is also available to persons who are medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months. 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 over 80 private bus and ferry transport operators. Free Travel is also available on cross border journeys, and within Northern Ireland, for those over age 66.
The car ferry, to which the Deputy refers, recently commenced accepting Free Travel for pedestrian passengers, effective from 1st June 2024. Travel by private car, including the cost of a car on a ferry crossing, is not covered under the Free Travel scheme.
Below is a list of all Ferry Operators in my Department’s Free Travel scheme:
| County | Company Name | Routes |
|---|---|---|
| Clare | Doolinferry.com | Inishmore - Doolin and Inisheer - Doolin |
| Clare | Baid Farantoireachta An Chosta Teoranta | Inishmore - Doolin and Inisheer - Doolin |
| Cork | Bere Island Ferries Ltd | Castletownbere-Bere Island (all year round) |
| Cork | Camp Roaringwater | Heir Island - Cunnamore (Mon-Sun) |
| Cork | Carbery Island Ferries aka Sherkin Island Ferries | Baltimore to Sherkin Island |
| Cork | Murphy’s Ferry Service | Castletownbere (Pontoon Pier) -Bere Island (all year round) |
| Cork | Thar Tonn Teo T/A An Cailin Oir | Balltimore-Crookhaven-Cape Clear (May - Sept) |
| Cork | Thar Tonn Teo T/A An Cailin Oir | Schull to Cape Clear ( June July and Aug ) |
| Cork | Whiddy Island Ferry | Bantry to Whiddy island ( All year round ) |
| Donegal | Cara na nOilean Teo | Burtonport-Arranmore Island |
| Donegal | Sli Mara Thoraí Teo | Magherooarty-Tory Island |
| Donegal | Realt na Maidne Teo | Burtonport Pier to Aranmore Pier. |
| Donegal | Realt na Maidne Teo | Magheroarty to Tory Island |
| Donegal | Toraigh Fast Ferry | Magheroarty to Tory Island |
| Galway | Inishbofin Island Discovery Ltd | Cleggan to Inishbofin Island |
| Galway | Inishbofin Freight | Cleggan to Inishbofin Island |
| Galway | Island Ferries Teo | Between Rossaveal and Aran Islands |
| Galway | Island Ferries Teo | Tourist Office in Galway to Rossaveal |
| Mayo | Clare Island Ferry & Clew Bay Cruises Ltd | Clare Island-Roonagh Quay |
| Mayo | Clare Island Ferry & Clew Bay Cruises Ltd | Clare Island- Inishturk Island |
| Mayo | O'Malley Ferries (Clare Island) Ltd | Clare Island- Roonagh Pier |
| Mayo | O'Malley Ferries (Clare Island) Ltd | Roonagh Pier to Inishturk |
| Mayo | Belmullet Boat Charters | Inishkea Island Ferry to the Inishkea Islands |
| Waterford | Passage East Ferry Company | Passage East Ferry linking Passage East, Co. Waterford and Ballyhack, Co. Wexford. Free Travel for pedestrians only. |
I trust this clarifies the matters for the Deputy.
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