asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will allow free travel to old age pensioners of Irish extraction who visit this country on holidays or short time visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Free Travel.
108.
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 permanentaly resident in the State.
The extension of the scheme to old age pensioners who visit this country on holidays or short time visits could not be confined to persons of Irish extraction. It would raise the question of extending the scheme to all old age pensioners who visit this country, particularly those from other countries within the European Community. Any such extension would have significant cost implications and there are no plans for such an extension in present circumstances.
The Deputy may wish to know that under the Rail Europe scheme operated by certain rail networks, senior citizens of other countries canot obtain reductions on ferry services to this country and on CIE services within the country. Further details are available from the CIE offices or from the transport authority of the country from which the person is travelling.