People who are certified as medically unfit to drive for a year or more will now be able to apply for a free travel pass, under the recently extended scheme. This news marks the end of a long and now successful campaign by NAI members Epilepsy Ireland
Over 30,000 people across Ireland are estimated to be eligible for the scheme, with 5,000 of this number being people living with Epilepsy.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, met with the first people to avail of the new Free Travel Pass for persons medically unable to drive. From the end of July, 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. This measure was secured by Minister Humphreys as part of Budget 2024. The scheme 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.
To learn more about the campaign and to apply, go to Free Travel Campaign at Epilepsy Ireland