Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2007
409 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will confirm that the opportunity for free all-Ireland travel for pensioners does not apply to persons on a disability pension; the rational behind this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7258/07]
View answer413 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to allow carers and persons in receipt of disability allowance or pension to avail of the all Ireland free travel scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the problems arising from the existing scheme where senior citizens cannot avail of the new scheme because an accompanying carer cannot afford to travel with them; and if he will give consideration to changes necessary to end this problem. [7635/07]
View answer414 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason in his proposal to extend the free travel to all qualifying people throughout the island of Ireland, he has excluded invalidity pensioners from the said extension such that invalidity pensioners cannot utilise the travel pass to travel throughout Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7636/07]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 409, 413 and 414 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to the introduction of a scheme of all-Ireland free travel for pensioners resident in all parts of the island of Ireland. I have recently announced the implementation of the all-Ireland free travel scheme commencing from 2 April. This scheme will enable pensioners resident here and in Northern Ireland to travel free of charge on all eligible transport services on the island.
The scheme will extend the existing cross-border free travel arrangements by allowing pensioners over the age of 66 and resident here to travel free of charge on all bus and rail services in Northern Ireland. Likewise, pensioners in Northern Ireland will travel free of charge on transport services in this State. Some 600,000 customers are in receipt of free travel in the Republic of Ireland, of which 430,000 are aged over 66 years. The All-Ireland Free Travel scheme is based on the existence of criteria of entitlements to free travel North and South for pensioners over 66 and applies only to this category.
The extension of the scheme to an all-island free scheme for over 66s represents a significant extension in travel opportunities. I will continue to examine any opportunities to further improve and expand on what will, from April 2 be a very comprehensive, seamless free travel scheme. Any such additional developments would have to be worked out in conjunction with the authorities in Northern Ireland.
The existing cross-border free travel scheme, introduced in July 1995, continues to apply to all Free Travel Pass holders, to enable them make journeys from a point in the Republic of Ireland to a destination in Northern Ireland.
