asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that the free travel passes which are issued to old age pensioners were withdrawn for the Christmas holiday period, 23rd to 27th December, 1975 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Travel Passes.
23.
I am not aware that free travel passes were withdrawn as stated by the Deputy. However, under a restriction which has applied to the free travel scheme administered by my Department since its introduction in 1967, free travel is not available on the long-distance bus and rail services of Córas Iompair Éireann during the Christmas holiday period from 23rd to 27th December inclusive.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that at Christmas many old age pensioners travel long distances to visit their families and that many of them cannot afford to pay the exorbitant fares asked by operators of long-distance bus and train services?
It only applies from 23rd to 27th December to the long-distance services. It would be reasonable to expect that where an elderly person intends visiting a son or daughter some distance away he would be doing so far a period of days. It would be feasible that he would be able to travel on 22nd and return on 28th, or on any date other than between 23rd and 27th December. I do not think it poses any major difficulty for an elderly person.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House if prior notice was given regarding the withdrawal of the free pass?
As I stated, there was not a withdrawal of the pass. This stipulation has been in operation since the introduction of the scheme in 1967 and there has been no change this year.