Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
765. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to the introduction of a scheme in which senior citizens living in remote areas would have a contribution to transport costs paid for, as in such cases there is no access to public transport; and his views on whether the free travel scheme is of little benefit to these citizens and additional supports are necessary. [18963/19]
View answerThere are currently no plans in the Department of Health to introduce a scheme along the lines of that proposed by the Deputy.
The Deputy may wish to note that the free travel scheme which is open to all citizens aged 66 and over comes under the remit of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
The Rural Transport Programme comes under the remit of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, whose Department provides funding and a policy framework for the programme, which operates under the name 'Local Link' through the National Transport Authority.
