Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 3

Written Answers - Social Welfare Benefits.

John Cregan

Question:

240 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will report on progress in relation to previous requests for the free travel scheme to be extended to air travel, even on a pilot basis, for example one trip per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9243/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

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. The scheme is also available to carers in receipt of carer's allowance.

The scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services. 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 scheme also covers air travel to the Aran Islands and Tory Island in certain circumstances.

The main objective of the free travel scheme is to help and encourage those eligible to remain active within their communities and to facilitate mobility for them. Various proposals have been put forward from time to time for improvements to the scheme to extend its scope. Any such proposals, including proposals for the extended use of air travel, have to be considered in the context of budgetary constraints and there are no plans at present for extended use of air travel under the scheme. It is possible, of course, for any airline to introduce concessionary fares to specific categories of people, for example pensioners. Although this matter is outside the remit of my Department, I would welcome any such concessions.