asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of Irish residents in receipt of invalidity pensions from other EC countries.
160.
Written Answers. - Invalidity Pensions.
157.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of Irish residents in receipt of French invalidity pensions.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 157 and 160 together.
There are approximately 3,300 Irish residents in receipt of a British or Northern Ireland invalidity pension. No information is available on the number of Irish residents in receipt of either French invalidity pensions or invalidity pensions from other EC countries.
158.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether an Irish resident with 15 years Irish contributions, in receipt of a French invalidity pension will be granted free travel.
159.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the basis for extending the free travel scheme to include British invalidity pension recipients in this country and not extending them to invalidity pension recipients of other EC countries; his plans, if any, to remedy the situation.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
The free travel scheme is available regardless of nationality to any person permanently resident in the State who is aged 66 years or over. In addition the scheme covers blind persons aged 18 years or over and recipients of invalidity pension from the Department of Social Welfare or disabled person's maintenance allowance from the health board and also recipients of British invalidity pension where the pension is in payment for an unbroken period of a year.
The scheme was extended in 1982 to British invalidity pensioners because of the fact that so many people living in Ireland are in receipt of such pensions which are broadly similar to the Irish invalidity pension scheme.
The free travel scheme does not come within the scope of EC social security regulations and the question as to who should be eligible under the scheme is a matter for decision by the Government of the day.
Question No. 161 postponed.