Half a Million Over 70s Set to Benefit from New Companion Pass

• Over 70s will be entitled to bring a friend or relative with them and travel for free

• New passes will issue to people by September

The Chairperson of the Dáil’s Social Protection Committee has received confirmation that 482,612 people over the age of 70 will be able to bring a friend or relative with them and travel for free from September.

Chairperson of the Social Protection Oireachtas Committee, John Paul O’Shea TD, has obtained a county-by-county breakdown outlining the number of people set to benefit from the major expansion of the Free Travel Companion Pass.

Speaking on the matter, Deputy O’Shea said:

“From September, people over 70 will have an entitlement to receive a Free Travel Companion Pass.  This means those aged 70 or over can have another person, aged 16 or older, travel with them for free on transport services.

“This expansion is hugely positive, it will mean a grandfather heading to a match in Croke Park can take his son, grandson or friend with him for free. If you’re coming up from the country for a day out in Dublin, you can take a pal with you. If you have to travel to a hospital or medical appointment, you can bring somebody along with you – this will make a real difference in people’s lives.

“I am pleased that the process of notifying people about this important new entitlement is now underway. The Department of Social Protection are now writing to eligible persons to inform them of their entitlement to the Free Travel Companion Pass from September 2025.

“It’s important that people act on any correspondence they receive from the Department:

“For those whose current Free Travel PSC has already expired, to avail of their Free Travel Companion entitlement, they are being advised that they need to renew their PSC either online or in person at their local Intreo Centre.

“For those whose current Free Travel PSC has not expired, they will receive a new Free Travel Companion Pass by post in advance of September.

“This is an important measure brought forward by Fine Gael as part of the last Budget. I’m delighted that so many people are set to benefit from this measure and I would encourage people to look out for correspondence from the Department and follow the advice to make sure they are ready to hit the road on the bus or train from September.”

Further Information:

Information obtained from the Department of Social Protection estimate that 482,612 people will benefit from the Free Travel Companion Pass extension.

Breakdown of this number by county.