Burton 'very much values' free travel as review of €75m scheme continues

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has said she places a very high value on free travel.

Yesterday it emerged that a government working group is reviewing the scheme, which benefits more than 700,000 older people, carers and people with disabilities.

Providing free travel costs the state around €75m a year.

Minister Burton said her department had been asked by the Department of Transport to review free travel after issues raised by Irish transport operators, but she stressed her support for the scheme as it stands.

"There may be some operators who want more money for the scheme," she said, "but the scheme has been cash-limited since about 2010."

She said that it was nonetheless operating "quite well".

"The working group will look at any issues that the transport operators or Department of Transport have, but as far as I'm concerned as the Minister for Social Protection, I very much value the arrangements in relation to free travel," she said.