The Minister for Social Protection says she places a very high value on free travel.

Yesterday it emerged that a government working group is reviewing the scheme.

It benefits more than 700,000 older people, carers and people with disabilities.

Providing free travel is currently costing the state around €75 million a year.

Minister Burton says her Department has been asked by the Department of Transport to review free travel.

It comes after issues were raised by Irish transport operators about how the scheme works and payment for it.

But she is stressing her support for the scheme as it stands.

Joan Burton told Breakfast here on Newstalk that criticisms of the scheme are wildly speculative.

You might also like

/> href="http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/programmes/minister-for-social-protection-joan-burton-tells-breakfast-she-is-not-without-ambition-when-it-comes-to-the-labour-leadership/"> Joan Burton: “Not without ambition” for Labour leadership

href="http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/news/joan-burton-says-prsi-contributions-should-be-increased/">Joan Burton says PRSI contributions should be increased

href="http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/news/business/joan-burton-ulster-bank-should-open-all-weekend/">Joan Burton: Ulster Bank should open all weekend