Michael Ring
Question:144 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused the back to work allowance scheme. [20628/98]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The back to work allowance is designed to support long-term unemployed people who would not otherwise be able to return to the workforce. It is a requirement of the scheme that an applicant must apply prior to taking up employment.
The person concerned commenced employment on 22 September 1997. He applied for the allowance on 7 September 1998. His application was refused on the grounds that he had not applied in time.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:145 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to overcome the difficulties being experienced in rural Ireland whereby persons in receipt of a free travel pass have no public transport system on which they can travel. [20648/98]
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 people with disabilities under that age who are in receipt of social welfare type payments. At the end of last January, free travel passes have been issued in respect of 514,000 people at an estimated annual cost of £33 million.
The scheme provides eligible people with free travel on a range of services provided by the CIE group of companies as well as on the services provided by 73 private transport operators. The vast majority of these private contractors operate in rural areas.
My Department is always willing to consider further applications from licensed private transport operators who may wish to participate in the free travel scheme.