In the Dáil recently, the upcoming changes to the Free Travel scheme were discussed.
As a result of a longstanding campaign by Epilepsy Ireland, from July, people who are medically unfit to drive for at least a year will be able to apply for the benefit. The changes being made will remove the barrier of having to be on a qualifying payment in order to access Free Travel.
These upcoming changes were discussed by Minister Heather Humphreys and Deputy Marc O’ Cathasaigh, with Epilepsy Ireland’s efforts in securing these changes referenced throughout the discussion.
Deputy O’Cathasaigh also raised the prospect of Transport for Ireland’s Bike Share scheme being made free for people who may be unable to drive due to epilepsy or other long-term health conditions.
The Bike Share scheme is a self-service bike rental service open to everyone from the ages of 14 up and is operated in cities across Ireland. You can find more info on the Bike Share scheme by visiting the 'Bike Share' website.
You can watch the discussion in full in the video below:
We would be interested in hearing from our members and service users about whether an expansion of the Bike Share Scheme is something you would benefit from. Let us know your thoughts by emailing our Advocacy & Communications Manager, Paddy McGeoghegan at pmcgeoghegan@epilepsy.ie
We also currently have an active survey on our future advocacy priorities. Please complete this survey as each response will help shape our campaigns on the behalf of people with epilepsy and their families, and if the expansion of the Bike scheme is something that would benefit you, please let us know in the survey.
You can complete the survey by visiting the ‘SurveyMonkey’ website.
As more information on the introduction of the expanded Free Travel scheme becomes available, we will share these on our website and social media channels. To learn more about our Free Travel campaign, visit the ‘Advocacy’ section of our website.