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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 6

Written Answers - Social Welfare Benefits.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

44 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will consider further liberalisation of the free travel scheme entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8425/03]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

47 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will consider allowing companion travel pass holders to use their pass when the principal travel pass holder is hospitalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8426/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

95 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her proposals to extend the free schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8583/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 47 and 95 together.

The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by semi-State companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as services provided by over 80 private transport operators. The vast majority of these private contractors operate in rural areas. The underlying feature of the scheme is the use of spare capacity on these transport services.

I am always willing to consider applications from licensed private transport operators who may wish to participate in the free travel scheme. My Department pays transport providers to operate the free travel scheme. However, it is not in a position to provide transport services where none exist. Research has shown that those who are most marginalised by lack of access to transport in rural areas include the elderly and the mobility impaired. It has also shown that the provision of accessible, affordable and acceptable local transport can make a very important improvement in the quality of life for these people.

The rural transport initiative has selected 33 community groups to receive funding to provide innovative community based transport services, on a pilot basis, in rural areas. This initiative is being managed by Area Development Management on behalf of the Department of Transport. Funding of approximately €6 million has been provided for this purpose through the national development plan. As free travel pass holders will clearly benefit from this initiative, I secured €0.5 million in the last budget towards the cost of the initiative, thereby ensuring that they have full access to community based transport services.
Since 1990 free travel companion passes have been available to persons who qualify for free travel and who, on account of their disability, are unable to travel alone. The companion pass enables a person 16 years of age or over to accompany the pass holder free of charge.
The purpose of the companion free travel pass scheme is to ensure that a person's entitlement to free travel is not diminished because a companion cannot afford to accompany them. Allowing companion pass holders to use their pass when not accompanying the principal travel pass holder, for example, when the principal travel pass holder is in hospital, would not be in keeping with the objective of the scheme.
The household benefits package comprises of the electricity-gas allowance, telephone allowance and free television licence schemes. It is generally available to people living in the State, aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who fulfil a means test. The package is also available to carers and people with disabilities under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. People aged over 70 years of age can qualify regardless of their income or household composition. The current schemes provide a package that ensures a standard of well-being to a particular group.
Very significant improvements have been made in the free schemes, including the free travel scheme, in recent budgets in terms of the qualifying conditions and the coverage of the schemes. I will continue to review the operation of the schemes with a view to identifying the scope for further improvements.
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