andMr. Creed asked the Minister for Defence if he will extend the free travel scheme to include the wives of old IRA veterans.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Travel Scheme.
117.
In accordance with the 1968 Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance the benefits of the free travel scheme for old age pensioners have been made available to the following persons who served in the War of Independence :—
(a) military service pensioners;
(b) disability pensioners whose disablement relates to the pre-Truce period;
(c) persons in receipt of special allowances;
(d) holders of the 1916 Medal, the Service (1917-1921) Medal with Bar or a "duly awarded" Service (1917-1921) Medal without Bar.
The wife of a veteran is entitled to free travel under the scheme administered by my Department only if she comes within one of the categories mentioned at (a) to (d) above. It is not proposed to alter this position.
In view of the small number who would qualify would the Minister reconsider the position?
The Deputy's assumption that the number who would qualify would be small is erroneous. The contrary is the case. A large number would qualify. This concession is an extension of the scheme introduced by the Minister for Finance for old age pensioners.
Would the Minister agree that the number would be small because those over 70 would be entitled to the concession and the number under 70 would possibly be limited?
I have nothing to add to the reply I have given. It was pretty explanatory.