Vol. 505 No. 6
206 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the consideration, if any, he has given to changing the name of the old age pension scheme to a senior citizen pension scheme as proposed by the Irish senior citizens parliament. [14256/99]
Proposals arise from time to time to change the titles of social welfare payments or to adapt these to changing usage in society. However, while I am open to considering all such suggestions, I am not aware of any particular problems with either the old age contributory or non-contributory pensions which would justify the cost and the legal/administrative changes involved in changing its title to a senior citizen pension. I would also point out that citizenship is not a requirement for receipt of these pensions. I have no proposals to change the names of these pensions at this stage but will keep the issue under general review. My main priority is to progress the Government's commitments, as outlined in An Action Programme for the Millennium, to improve the pension position generally of our older people.
207 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the consideration, if any, given to lowering the old age pension age to 65 thereby eliminating the retirement pension scheme; the cost implications of this proposal; and the savings in eliminating the bureaucracy involved in running two pension schemes. [14257/99]
Any reduction in the pension age of the old age contributory or non-contributory pensions, currently 66 years, would have major financial implications, especially in the light of future demographic projections, and there are no plans to lower the retirement age. Up-to-date information in relation to costs, as requested by the Deputy, is not readily available but I will communicate with him shortly.
208 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the restrictions on free travel in Cork, Dublin and Limerick at certain times of the day will be eliminated in order to bring those cities in line with other towns and cities. [14258/99]
The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years, or over, as well as certain people with disabilities under that age who are in receipt of certain social welfare type payments. It is also available to carers in receipt of carer's allowance and since last April, free travel will be available to carers of people in receipt of a constant attendance allowance or prescribed relatives allowance. The scheme provides free travel, primarily at off-peak periods, to eligible people on the main public and private transport services. The full year cost of the free travel scheme for 1999 is approximately £34.5 million and at the end of March 1999, over 537,000 free travel passes had been issued.
Time restrictions have been a feature of the free travel scheme since its inception. They do not, however, apply in the case of mentally-handicapped people, people attending long-term rehabilitation courses or certain work experience programmes and certain other disabled or blind people. These people are issued with an unrestricted free travel pass which enables them to travel during the normally restricted travel times. Geographical location is not a factor taken into account in establishing time restrictions.
The central issue in regard to time restrictions relates to capacity constraints. Where restrictions apply it is at the request of the transport companies because the transport system is under severe pressure from commuters travelling to and from work and school in the morning and evening. There are no peak time travel restrictions on DART, suburban rail services, and on services provided by private transport operators in other parts of the country. 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. A fundamental review of the free schemes, including the free travel scheme, has commenced to assess whether the objectives of these schemes are being achieved in the most effective and efficient manner. The time restrictions which apply in some areas will be examined as part of this review process.
209 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason parents in receipt of unemployment assistance are allowed to claim for a child over 18 years in full-time education while a parent in receipt of unemployment benefit is not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14261/99]
Child dependant allowances are payable to recipients of social welfare payments in respect of all children up to the age of 18 years. Where a claimant is in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment, child depend ant allowances are payable where children are in full-time education up to the age of 22 years, or up to the end of the academic year after the 22nd birthday. However, those receiving short-term unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit or other short-term payments do not receive child dependant allowance for children over 18 years. This differentiation is in recognition of the fact that families with children on long-term payments face a higher risk of poverty.
The Deputy will be aware that, in the area of income support for children, available resources have in recent years been channelled towards providing substantial improvements in child benefit. This represents one of the most effective means of tackling poverty, as it channels resources directly to families most in need. Child benefit is of particular importance to families on low incomes as it is not taxable, is not withdrawn when an unemployed parent takes up employment and is not assessed as means for other secondary benefits such as differential rents, medical cards, etc. Therefore, it does not act as a disincentive to taking up employment or improving wages.
Further enhancements of the system of income support for children are a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.
