Skip to main content
Normal View

Social Welfare Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022

Thursday, 7 April 2022

Questions (316)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

316. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the free travel pass to persons with epilepsy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19060/22]

View answer

Written answers

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 companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 1,025,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2022 is €95 million.

It is not possible for my Department to provide an estimate of the cost of extending the free travel scheme to persons who are diagnosed with epilepsy. The HSE estimates that there are 40,000 people who suffer with epilepsy in Ireland, with between 12-15,000 of this cohort who have breakthrough seizures. My Department does not retain data on how many epilepsy sufferers are already in receipt of DSP qualifying payments that entitle them to access the free travel pass or are aged 66 or over. Furthermore, the additional cost to the scheme, should it be extended to all people with epilepsy, would also depend on factors including the type of travel pass issued (e.g., single or companion pass), the number of journeys made using the free travel pass, the prevailing fares, and the type of journeys undertaken, i.e., rail, bus or Luas.

I am aware of an ongoing campaign by Epilepsy Ireland and recognise the issues and difficulties that can arise due to a person being diagnosed with epilepsy. I have recently met with representatives of Epilepsy Ireland to discuss its proposal in detail.

Following the meeting I have asked my Department officials to examine the issues raised by Epilepsy Ireland and to explore options to help alleviate these issues. Further engagement with Epilepsy Ireland will be arranged once this exploratory work has been concluded.

However, it is really important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. Crucially as many illnesses or physical conditions have an impact across a spectrum from mild to severe, entitlement to these schemes is not provided on the basis of a simple diagnosis but on the basis of the impact of that diagnosis on the individual concerned. In this way resources can be targeted to people with most need. Therefore, while a diagnosis of a particular medical condition will be required to establish if a person may be eligible for certain social welfare schemes, evidence of impact is also required before entitlement to the scheme or the related free travel scheme is established. (The sole exception to this general approach is in respect of people who are blind.)

While consideration is always given to any requests to improve or extend eligibility to the free travel scheme, uncoupling the link between receipt of particular social welfare payments and eligibility for the free travel scheme would so fundamentally alter the scheme that it would move it away from being a social welfare measure to being a general transport initiative.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may award a travel supplement, where the circumstances of the particular case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the individual case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Top
Share