Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Ivor Callely

Question:

18 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the possibility of extending the free travel scheme by providing social welfare recipients with free or special rate air travel on spare capacity on our national airline services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14403/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern): 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 April 1999, over 538,000 free travel passes had been issued.

In general the scheme provides for travel within the State and is intended to help and encourage those eligible to remain active within their communities. Extending the scheme to cover air travel has not arisen except in the context of services to the Aran Islands and Tory Island which are covered by the free travel arrangements.

The question of providing concessions to older people travelling outside the country is one which is being dealt with at EU level. At the end of 1997 Age Concern England completed a study on the question of a European pass for senior citizens which would grant a wide range of concessions including transport across the European Union. This was undertaken with the support of the EU Commission. I understand that the EU Commission is currently considering this report.