To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any consideration that has been given to the provision of concessionary fares for carers.

The NI Concessionary Fares Consultation ran from 1st June 2023 to 24th August 2023 and included an option which would introduce companion passes for disabled people unable to travel alone. Under this proposal, disabled people who met the eligibility criteria would be issued with a SmartPass which indicates that they are allowed to have a companion travel with them on their journey. This companion pass would allow the companion to receive concessionary travel for that journey, thereby benefitting some carers.

Although public support for this option was strong (with 79% of respondents in favour of the change), unfortunately, due to the severe financial pressures facing the Department, changes which would increase the cost of the Scheme could not be implemented at that time.

While the budgetary outlook has not changed, I will reconsider the qualifying criteria again in the future, if the financial position allows.