Social Welfare Schemes
Seanad Éireann — 2026-07-14
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Dara Calleary (FF), Mayo

I thank the Senator. Technology is absolutely very much part of our lives but it does, as the Senator will always point out in debates, need guardrails. We have to protect the data of those who use our passes on both sides of the Border. That is important. While we have no objection, and I will ask my officials to examine all the options and bring the Senator's issue to the attention of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, any changes will require cross-Border agreement, as well as integrated IT systems. Bearing in mind that there are 70 private operators on top of the public operators, this is not an easy task. However, the free travel scheme is now benefiting over 1.17 million people who have direct benefit to the pass. When we look at the companion pass, which we extended last year, and spousal passes, over 2 million people are benefiting from the scheme. The scheme is meeting its objective of ensuing older people and people with disabilities can remain active and can travel. However, we will examine the processes again.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-07-14/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:52:15+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-14