Vol. 549 No. 3
323 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the qualification system for a free travel pass; if a person (details supplied) in County Limerick under the age of 16 years, suffering from Down's syndrome is not entitled to this pass; his plans to extend the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6787/02]
The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over and to people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain disability-type welfare payments, such as disability allowance and invalidity pension. Carers in receipt of carer's allowance, and carers of people in receipt of constant attendance or prescribed relative's allowances, are also entitled to a single status standard travel pass, enabling the passholder to travel free on public transport.
A companion free travel pass is available to disability allowance clients who are certified as unfit to travel alone, to people who are in receipt of a qualifying payment and who are receiving full-time care and attention from a carer or are confined to a wheelchair. Children who are registered as blind with either the National Council for the Blind of Ireland or the National League of the Blind of Ireland are also entitled to a companion free travel pass. The only category of children under age 16 who are entitled to free travel are blind children.
In the case of the family concerned, the child's father is receiving disability allowance and has a companion free travel pass. His wife is receiving a carer's allowance and also has a standard free travel pass. Their son is not entitled to free travel under the scheme.
As the Deputy will be aware, the various free schemes including free travel are highly valued by the clients concerned, and are seen generally as an innovative set of direct practical supports for a broad range of groups. A number of very significant initiatives to improve free scheme entitlements and to extend coverage have been taken by this Government over the past five years. Further extension of free travel coverage would be a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.
324 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will consider approving payment under the back to education allowance scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6850/02]
To qualify for participation on the back to education allowance scheme an applicant must, inter alia, be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for at least six months, 156 days, immediately prior to commencing an approved course of study.
