The Department of Social Protection spent €92.6m on free travel operators last year, with over one million people entitled to free travel, reflecting a 39pc increase over the last decade.
A significant issue was identified, as nearly 20pc of Free Travel cards were expired but still accepted due to a backlog in issuing replacements.
The Comptroller and Auditor General reported inadequate verification of travel data, with only two spot checks conducted since 2021, highlighting reliance on outdated usage information from operators.
The Department has agreed to develop a payment system based on actual journeys taken by cardholders and anticipates a draft report on a new funding model before the end of 2024.
