Vol. 500 No. 2
165 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will extend the free travel pass facility to recipients of a retirement pension in view of the fact that they will receive it at aged 66 when they reach old age pension age and many of them are suffering from medical conditions. [3771/99]
The free travel scheme 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 certain social welfare type payments. The objective of the scheme is to assist older people and people with disabilities to remain active in the community.
At the end of 1998, over 530,000 free travel passes had been issued at an annual cost of £32.6 million. The full year cost of extending the free travel scheme to recipients of retirement pension under age 66 is estimated at £400,000. However, it is likely that such an extension would have to be considered in respect of all people aged 65 and not just this specific group, which would cost an estimated £1.75 million in a full year.
The free schemes were originally designed to benefit mainly older people in receipt of a social welfare type payment who were living alone and required additional assistance. However, over the years, additional categories of people have been included. It is proposed to undertake a fundamental review of the free schemes, commencing in March 1999, to assess whether the objectives of these schemes are being achieved in the most efficient and effective manner and the issue raised by the Deputy will be considered in that context.
