Transport Related Services and Supports
Everyone aged 66 and over living permanently in Ireland, is entitled to the free travel scheme. Certain people under that age are also entitled. In some cases, a free travel companion pass may be available to allow a person to accompany the free travel pass holder. If you qualify for free travel, you will be issued with a pass that you must carry with you when using public transport. Free travel passes are non-transferable and can only be used by the named person.
Free travel is available on all public transport (bus, rail and Dublin's LUAS service). Free travel is also available on a limited number of services that are operated by private bus transport companies. Private bus transport operators that have opted in to the Free Travel scheme, accept free travel passes. To check whether your private bus operator accepts free travel passes, you should contact the Department of Social Protection.
Visit Citizens Information for more information on Free Travel in Ireland.
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The Mobility Allowance is a means-tested, monthly payment payable by Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland to people aged between 17 and 66 who have a disability and are unable to walk or use public transport and who would benefit from a change in surroundings, for example, by financing the occasional taxi journey. If an allowance is awarded, it will be continued beyond the age of 66 but you may not apply for the allowance if you are aged 66 or over.
Visit Citizens Information for more information on the Mobility Allowance.
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The Motorised Transport Grant is a means-tested, Health Service Executive (HSE) payment for people in Ireland with disabilities who need to buy a car. This payment is also for disabled people who need to have a car or other vehicle adapted in order to enable them to drive and, as a result, earn a living.
Visit Citizens Information for more information on the Motorised Transport Grant.
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The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides a range of tax reliefs linked to the purchase and use of vehicles by disabled drivers and disabled passengers in Ireland. Under the terms of the scheme, you can claim remission or repayment of vehicle registration tax (VRT), repayment of value-added tax (VAT) on the purchase of a vehicle and repayment of VAT on the cost of adapting a vehicle, up to a maximum of 9,525 euro for a disabled driver and 15,875 euro for a disabled passenger.
Relief is limited to a vehicle that has been specially constructed or adapted for use by a disabled person and that has an engine size of less than 2,000cc in the case of the driver and 4,000cc in the case of the passenger.
If you qualify for tax relief under the scheme, you can also claim repayment of excise duty on fuel used in your vehicle for the transport of a disabled person, up to a maximum of 600 gallons per year. In addition, if you qualify under the scheme, your vehicle may be exempt from the payment of annual road tax on application to a Motor Tax Office. Visit Citizens Information for more information on the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme.
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Disabled Person's Parking Card (also known as European Parking Cards) are available to people living in Ireland with certain disabilities and people who are registered blind, whether they are drivers or passengers. The parking card can be used by a disabled person in any vehicle in which he or she is travelling. This means that a disabled person who is being driven at different times by different people can bring the parking card with himself or herself and display it in the appropriate vehicle. The parking card is valid for 2 years from date of issue. Generally, the card is not issued to anyone under 5 years of age.
The parking card scheme for disabled drivers and passengers applies to public car parking areas only. However, the scheme also enables private car parks, supermarkets, etc., to more effectively monitor parking in areas that they have designated for people with disabilities.
European Parking Cards can be used by disabled people within the 27 member states of the EU and are also recognised in the US and Canada. This means that when you travel abroad, you can bring your European Parking Card with you. However, it is important to remember that you must observe the motoring laws and restrictions on parking in other countries.
The parking card scheme is administered by the Disabled Drivers Association and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Visit Citizens Information for more information on the Disabled Person's Parking Card.
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Vehicles adapted for disabled drivers or passengers are entitled to exemption from toll fees. Toll road operators issue special passes which are recognised by all other toll road operators and which allow such vehicles pass through the tolls without paying. To obtain a special pass apply to your nearest toll road operator.
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People who have a visual impairment can gain independent mobility through the use of a guide dog or a long cane. Independent mobility means going out and about on your own. It means being able to move safely through crowded streets, traffic and country roads without fear of hazards such as steps, holes or other obstacles.
The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) employs Community Resource workers in each Health Service Executive Area that offer advice and assistance to visually impaired people. The NCBI also has links to several other agencies that provide specific services to visually impaired persons, such as Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind offers two kinds of aids to independent mobility to visually impaired people: guide dogs and long canes. Visit Citizens Information for more information on Mobility Training for People with a Visual Impairment.
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