asked the Minister for Defence if he will take such action as is necessary to enable widows, aged 65 years and upwards, of former Army personnel to travel free on public transport.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Travel for Army Widows.
75.
The free travel scheme administered by my Department applies only to veterans of the War of Independence and their spouses. It is not proposed at present to extend this scheme.
Is the Minister aware that many widows of Army personnel are unable to travel because of the low pensions they have and that there would not be great expense involved if the Minister were to extend free travel to widows of Army personnel? Could he possibly investigate the matter further to see if there is anything his Department could do?
This would be a very wide proposal generally and it would not be feasible to put it into effect.