asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the free travel concession for old age pensioners can be extended to permit them to attend hospital clinics.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Extension of Pensioners Free Travel.
45.
An eligible pensioner may travel free for any purpose whatever during the authorised hours. It was found necessary, however, when the scheme was being devised to prohibit free travel during peak periods in city services. It would be impracticable to make exceptions to the general arrangement to enable certain pensioners to travel free for a particular purpose during rush hours.
According to the Minister's reply I take it that old age pensioners who must attend hospital clinics will be permitted to travel free on buses at 9-9.30 a.m.?
That is not what I said at all.
Why could they not be permitted to do this in order to attend hospitals?
This is one of the peak hours during which the free travel scheme is not operative—7 to 10 a.m. and 4.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Having regard to all the interests of such people, could the Minister not arrange with his colleague to have a clinic available for these people outside peak hours in order that they may be treated in these hospitals?
That would be a satisfactory way—to arrange the clinics at 10 a.m.