Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 6

Written Answers. - Free Travel Scheme.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

180 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have arrangements made to investigate the possibility of a facility whereby free travel might be extended and reciprocated for old age pensioners to travel on both sides of the Border. [829/94]

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

My Department's free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years of age or over as well as certain incapacitated people in receipt of social welfare type payments. The scheme provides free travel at off-peak periods for eligible people on the main public and private transport services. Those include road, rail and ferry services provided by semi-state companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as services provided by private contractors.

I favour the Deputy's suggestion that the free travel scheme be extended, on a reciprocal basis, to enable pensioners to travel free over the whole of Ireland. In relation to Northern Ireland, however, there are significant differences between my Department's scheme and that operated by the responsible authorities in that jurisdiction. I am having the matter examined further in my Department to see if an acceptable basis for a reciprocal agreement can be reached.