Vol. 546 No. 3
22 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of licensed operators who took part in his Department's free travel scheme since 1997; his plans to improve the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31957/01]
The free travel scheme was introduced in 1967. The scheme is intended to encourage older people and people with disabilities to remain independent and active in the community. The scheme also facilitates mobility for those without access to cars and the greater use of public transport infrastructure during off-peak times. From its inception, the scheme applied to the services operated by the CIE Group. The services covered have been extended progressively since 1967 and, at this point, there are some 80 private bus, ferry and air operators participating in the scheme.
Participation in the scheme is open to all transport operators licensed to operate a public scheduled service, who are properly insured and hold a current tax clearance certificate. Operators who meet these criteria and who wish to participate in the scheme can expect to have their applications accepted. This policy is designed to maximise access to the scheme among the categories who are eligible to travel free. The policy is successful with, for example, an overall increase of 32 in the number of private operators participating in the scheme since the beginning of January 1997.
In addition to the improvements in the range of services covered by the scheme, the categories who qualify for the scheme have been extended over the years and improvements have also been made to facilitate the use of the scheme. For example, since coming into office I have provided for the retention of the free travel pass by recipients of invalidity pension, disability allowance and blind persons pension when they transfer to another long-term social welfare payment. I have also extended the free travel companion pass to all persons aged 75 and over who are medically unfit to travel alone. In the recent budget, the companion pass scheme was extended to invalidity pensioners who are unable to travel unaccompanied. This standardises the qualifying conditions for a companion pass for recipients of invalidity pension and disability allowance. Further improvements will be considered in the light of emerging needs and the overall budgetary situation.
The Minister has just confirmed that 32 new private bus operators have been included in the free travel scheme since he took office in his Department. Is he aware that a total of 538 licences have been issued by the Department of Public Enterprise since 1997? Will he admit that the relatively low take-up of this scheme by private bus operators indicates that we need to legislate for this and to ensure everyone who receives a licence to operate a bus route should make it available to our senior citizens who avail of this scheme? Does the Minister agree that should be provided for in legislation?
I confirm that 42 applications have been received in that period. Three were refused because they did not have a proper licence, two did not follow up the initial application and five are currently being processed. The issue to which the Deputy referred is a matter which might be looked at, particularly by the Minister for Public Enterprise, but it would, obviously, have substantial implications in relation to the budget for the free travel scheme. The national development plan 2000 to 2006 makes a substantial provision of £3.5 million for the development of pilot public transport initiatives – the rural transport initiative. That scheme was piloted after some study on those areas that are not covered. Even the number of additional licences to which the Deputy referred would not cover some of the very outlying areas of the country. Having consulted with the people involved in this area, particularly local communities, the general view that emerged is that we should allow community-led schemes to provide transport. As already stated, £3.5 million has been provided in the national development plan for this type of initiative. A number of pilot projects are already up and running.
Does the Minister accept that while the free travel scheme is excellent for pensioners who live in urban areas, it is less successful in catering for those who live in rural areas? Given that the Government is involved in the closure of many post offices in rural areas, would he consider extending the scheme to allow pensioners use taxis? Does the Minister accept there is a need for legislation to be drawn up by his Department and the Department of Public Enterprise given that there were more than 500 applications from private bus operators – only 32 have been taken up since he entered office – in respect of the extension of the free travel scheme? This is the most effective scheme to help the elderly but it does not operate in the way it should in rural areas.
I do not accept the Deputy's assertion that my Department is involved in the closing of post offices in rural areas.
I did not mention the Department, I referred to the Government.
In relation to the rural transport initiative, discussions are ongoing between my Department and the Department of Public Enterprise regarding how free travel pass holders can be accommodated in the pilot schemes. There are two types of pilot schemes. Ten of these are up and running and will have their operational costs paid. A further ten are in the pre-development stage and will be funded to become operational. I emphasise that the general view is that it would be difficult to control the scheme if it were extended to taxis.
