Vol. 541 No. 2
813 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will review the application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 for a companion free travel pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21878/01]
The person concerned, who is in receipt of an invalidity pension, has a standard free travel pass. Under the rules of the free travel scheme, she could only qualify for a companion pass if she were confined to a wheelchair, if carer's allowance were being paid in respect of her, if she were blind or severely visually impaired, or if she previously held a companion pass and was receipt of a disability allowance.
The Department has reviewed the application of the person concerned but, as she does not satisfy any of the criteria for entitlement to a companion free travel pass at present, her application had to be refused. The question of extending entitlement to the free travel companion pass to categories other than those precluded at present would be a matter for consideration in a budgetory context.
