Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 4

Written Answers. - Cross-Border Travel for Pensioners.

Patrick D. Harte

Question:

95 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in receipt of old age pension in County Donegal, particularly in Inishowen and East Donegal, who are holders of free travel passes cannot avail of the free travel through Northern Ireland if the bus journey on their way to County Donegal from Dublin terminates in Northern Ireland, that is, a person en route to Donegal travelling on a CIE bus to Derry will only be given free travel to Moy Bridge, County Monaghan, which means people from Inishowen who have no alternative transport and travel on a CIE bus to Derry are being discriminated against; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that some old age pensioners, unaware of their entitlements, are being asked for and are paying the full Derry to Dublin and Dublin to Derry return fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

Under my Department's free travel scheme, a pass holder who wishes to travel from Dublin to Inishowen or Inishowen to Dublin via Derry on the Derry/Dublin bus service, can travel free of charge for the full journey. This special arrangement has been in place for a number of years.

The part of the journey taken in Northern Ireland must be covered by a travel warrant. A travel warrant is a form completed by the pensioner, referring to the part of his or her journey in Northern Ireland, which is submitted subsequently by Bus Éireann or Ulster Bus to my Department for payment on a "fares lost" basis.

A pass holder wishing to travel on the Dublin/Derry route may obtain a travel warrant form from Bus Éireann in Dublin (Busáras) or Monaghan, or from the Ulster Bus Depot in Derry. There is no charge to the pass holder for this warrant.

In the light of the Deputy's question, my Department has contacted CIE to remind Bus Éireann staff of this free facility, and to ensure that relevant free travel pass holders requiring to travel between Inishowen and Dublin are not asked to pay for any portion of their journey.