asked the Minister for Defence if he will extend the travel concession granted to old IRA medal holders so as to enable their wives to travel independently.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Travel Concession to Old IRA.
52.
In accordance with my Department's free travel scheme for veterans and their spouses, the spouse of a veteran is entitled to the free travel concession only when accompanying the veteran. The scheme is the same as the Department of Social Welfare scheme for old age pensioners and their spouses and no alteration in its scope is contemplated at present.
Would the Minister not agree that this is an exceptional case and because there are so very few members of the Old IRA left in the country they should be granted this facility? Many of these men are now invalided and unable to travel. If they are in hospital their wives who are living on small pensions have to pay their own fares to Dublin. In view of this would the Minister reconsider it?
I certainly will and I will re-examine it, but the Deputy will understand that this was, if you like, a sister scheme to the Department of Social Welfare scheme and existed as such. I will certainly re-examine it.
It is an exceptional case. They are a passing generation.
I take the Deputy's point and I will examine it.