asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider issuing free travel passes with the prescribed relatives' allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
54.
The free travel scheme applied to all permanent residents of the State aged 66 years and over and to certain categories of disabled persons under 66 years of age.
Apart from these the only persons who may avail of free travel are the husband or wife of the person concerned, if travelling with that person.
The extension of the free travel scheme to cover other categories of people would have financial implications and would have to be considered in a budgetary context. There are no plans to extend the scheme in present circumstances.