Vol. 471 No. 4
239 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason students with disabilities who have free travel passes are not allowed to use these passes between 7.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. and between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.; and whether alternative arrangements can be made to enable students to arrive at early morning lectures. [20763/96]
The primary purpose of the free travel scheme is to encourage elderly people to remain active in the community by giving them access to spare capacity on the various public transport systems. Expenditure on the scheme this year will amount to some £32.7 million and will benefit about 470,000 people.
Time restrictions have been a feature of the free travel scheme since its inception in 1967. They are necessary on city and provincial bus routes because the transport services concerned are under severe pressure from commuters travelling to or from work or school in the morning and evening and they would be unable to cope with the additional volume of passengers arising if the restrictions did not apply. I should point out, however, that time restrictions do not apply in the case of people with a mental handicap, people attending long-term rehabilitation courses and certain other people with disability or sight impairment.
Time restrictions apply in the case of Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann services in Dublin, Cork and Limerick from 7 a.m. to 9.45 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., Monday to Friday inclusive, and on Bus Éireann long distance buses from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays for up to 20 miles out from Dublin, Cork or Limerick. The removal of these restrictions would have significant cost implications for my Department. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind involving a student with a disability, I will have it examined on receipt of the relevant details.
240 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether old age pensioners aged 65 years and over from Northern Ireland are entitled to the free travel scheme in the Republic, whereas old age pensioners in the Republic must be 66 years and over in order to avail of the scheme; if so, the plans, if any, he has to amend this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20815/96]
The free travel scheme, operated by my Department, is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years, or over, as well as to certain incapacitated people under that age who are in receipt of social welfare type payments. The scheme provides free travel, primarily at off-peak periods, to eligible people on the main public and private transport services.
In July last year, the free cross-Border travel scheme was introduced between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. There are a number of differences between the free travel schemes operated here and in Northern Ireland and these differences were accommodated in the free cross-Border travel scheme. Changes in the Northern Ireland free travel scheme are obviously a matter for UK authorities. There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria for free travel in the Republic.
