Dan Neville
Ceist:314 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will extend the free travel scheme available to pensioners to Irish pensioners visiting Ireland. [18950/99]
Written Answers - Free Schemes.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:318 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when the departmental review of the free schemes for old age pensioners will be completed; the reason for the delay in completing this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18975/99]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 314 and 318 together.
A fundamental review of all the free schemes is being carried out to assess whether the objectives of these schemes are being achieved in the most efficient and effective manner. This includes an examination of the qualifying conditions for the schemes, the target groups, the scope for alternative policy arrangements and the suggestion to extend the scheme. The conclusions of the review will be considered in the context of budget 2000.
The review of the free schemes, which is already at an advanced stage, is being carried out by an official of my Department on secondment, as a visiting research fellow at the Policy Institute, Trinity College, Dublin. Other work commitments and the reviewing and publication schedule have led to a slight delay in the initial timetable.
It is expected that the research conducted will be formally published by the Policy Institute in the "Trinity Studies in Public Policy" series in January 2000.