Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

285 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason unemployment assistance has been terminated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if payment will be restored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21763/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The individual in question had been in receipt of basic supplementary welfare allowance from the health board pending a decision on an application for unemployment assistance. Her application for unemployment assistance was refused on the ground that she was not genuinely seeking employment. She appealed against this decision and the appeals officer upheld the original refusal.

The South-Western Area Health Board was contacted and has confirmed that following her unsuccessful appeal, the individual in question was afforded a further opportunity to provide evi dence that she was making reasonable efforts to secure employment. In the opinion of the board she failed to do so and payment of her basic supplementary welfare allowance was terminated.

A health board has the authority to refuse payment of supplementary welfare allowance where it considers that an applicant should but fails to make reasonable efforts to secure employment. It is a matter for the health board to determine entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance in individual cases. Neither I nor my Department has any function in deciding individual cases.

Bernard Allen

Question:

286 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the free travel benefit cannot be used by recipients in Cork and Dublin and some other urban areas except in off peak hours; and if he will not extend the unlimited benefit to Cork and Dublin and other urban areas presently excluded. [21813/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

Time restrictions on the free travel scheme have been a feature of the scheme since its inception. The restrictions apply, in the main, to the CIE group bus services in the main urban centres at peak times in recognition of the pressure on the bus transport system from commuters travelling to and from work and school in the morning and evening. There are no peak time travel restrictions on DART, suburban rail services, and on services provided by private transport operators in other parts of the country.

Special unrestricted travel pass arrangements apply to people with learning disabilities, those attending long-term rehabilitation courses or certain work experience programmes and certain other disabled or blind people. The operation of the free travel scheme in this respect and generally is, however, kept under review with a view to identifying the scope for further improvements where circumstances allow.

Michael Ring

Question:

287 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the effect the equality ruling will have on the implementation of the free travel scheme for same-sex relationships; the number of people who will be eligible for this; and the effect this ruling will have on other schemes within her Department. [21814/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

Under the free travel scheme a person aged 66 or over who is married or co-habiting is entitled to a free travel pass which allows a spouse or partner to accompany him or her free of charge when travelling on public transport services. The Department has now amended its free travel scheme guidelines to extend the same benefits to same-sex co-habiting couples in compliance with the Equal Status Act 2000. It is not clear how many people will become eligible for free travel as a result of this amendment. The Department is now examining its other non-statutory schemes to ensure that they are fully in compliance with the Equal Status Act 2000.