197 free travel passes confiscated over fraudulent use

NEARLY 200 people have had free travel passes confiscated since the start of last year.

The cards were mostly seized as they were being fraudulently used by a different person or when a public services card had been blocked.

The Department of Social Protection said that there were 76 cases where a free travel pass was being used by the wrong individual.

It also recorded 117 cases where a public services card had been blocked, where the person had left the State or in other similar circumstances.

The department logged four cases as well in which a person no longer entitled to free travel was still using the card.

Nearly half of the 197 total confiscations involved individuals who had an address with a Dublin postcode, according to information released under Freedom of Information.

There were also a high number of cases reported in Co. Laois (28) and Co. Kildare (23). Only a small number of confiscations were reported in Cork (six), Waterford (seven), Galway (two), while none was logged in Limerick.

The free travel scheme provides access to almost all the main public and private transport operators, including road, rail, ferry and bus services.

It applies to all people aged over 66 living permanently in Ireland and individuals aged under 66 who are in receipt of qualifying social welfare payments.

A spokesman said more than 1.09million people qualify for free travel, which rises to over 1.8million when spouses and companions are included, and added: ‘Accordingly, the number of free travel cards confiscated in this 14-month period represents less than 0.02% of the total number of those entitled to free travel.’