Vol. 499 No. 3
84 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he supports the proposal for a common euro card which would allow reciprocity of travel concessions for all retired EU citizens visiting other member states. [2587/99]
The free travel scheme, administered by my Department, is available to all people resident in Ireland, irrespective of nationality, aged 66 years or over, and also to certain people with disabilities under that age who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
The scheme provides free travel, primarily at off-peak periods, to eligible people on the main public and private transport services. At the end of December 1998, free travel passes had been issued to over 530,000 people at an estimated annual cost of over £32 million. The scheme was extended in 1995 to cover cross-Border travel only between Ireland and Nothern Ireland. It is available to passholders in Ireland, their spouses or companions in the case of people holding companion passes, and to Northern Ireland concession travel passholders. The scheme does not apply to either sea or air routes between this country and Great Britian.
I understand that the question of introducing a senior euro pass or euro card for senior citizens which would grant a wide range of concessions, including transport, across the European Union is being dealt with by the Social Affairs Directorate of the European Commission. At the end of 1997 Age Concern England completed a study of this matter with the support of the EU Commission and I am informed that Commission is currently considering this report. No formal proposal regarding the introduction of a senior euro pass has been received by my Department.
