andMr. Gogan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will offset the recent steep increases in bus fares by granting free travel to social welfare recipients most of whom are required to travel long distances to the two Dublin city employment exchanges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Travel Facilities.
9.
The answer is in the negative.
Is the Minister aware of the extreme hardship that is being caused to people who have to travel long distances from the perimeter of the city to sign at labour exchanges and to respond to requests for interviews for employment? It costs the unemployed person from 40 to 50 pence per trip. Surely there is a case for considering the unemployed in view of the high level of unemployment in the country? Surely free travel for these people should be considered especially in the light of the allowances they are receiving from the Government?
I do not know where the Deputy gets the information to the effect that it costs 50 pence to come into town.
I said it costs between 40 and 50 pence to go in and return.
My information is that the price in Dublin has increased by four pence on 16 pence. The people to whom the Deputy refers are only required to attend at any of the Dublin employment exchanges once a week. That does not justify making the allowance which the Deputy suggests.
Has the Minister taken into account that as well as the 25 per cent increase, the changes in the bus stages have given alarmingly high percentage increases in certain areas?
I did not want to stress that information. I have no idea how the stages have changed.
Question No. 10, please.
Would the Minister agree that it is fair for a person living in my constituency to have to pay 20 pence to get into Gardiner Street and 20 pence back? Does the Minister think he should walk for the rest of the week? It would cost him a couple of pounds a week to keep in touch with the city.
It would not cost that to come in and sign on at the labour exchange or to draw allowances.