asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make arrangements to have free travel extended to United Kingdom residents who are in receipt of Irish social welfare pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Free Travel.
114.
The free travel scheme operated by my Department which covers, inter alia, all persons aged 66 years or over, is confined to qualified persons who are permanently resident in the State. The extension of the scheme to persons resident in the United Kingdom could not, if it were being considered, be confined to persons in receipt of Irish pensions. Furthermore it would raise the question of extending the scheme to Irish people resident in countries other than the UK. An extension of the scheme on these lines would have major financial implications and there are no plans for such an extension in present circumstances.