Dick Spring
Ceist:388 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has been refused a free travel companion pass. [20058/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned is in receipt of a British retirement pension and can only qualify for a companion free travel pass in any following circumstances: she is permanently confined to a wheelchair; there is a carer's allowance in payment from this Department for her full-time care and attention; she held a companion pass previously and was in receipt of a disability allowance prior to her being awarded a British invalidity pension; or she is registered with the National Council for the Blind or the National League of the Blind in Ireland.
An application for a companion pass was received from the person concerned on 5 June 2001. However, based on the information and medical evidence supplied by her on that date, she did not satisfy the conditions for receipt of a companion pass.
On 14 June 2001, a letter issued to the person concerned notifying her of the decision in her case. She replied asking that her case be re-considered on the grounds that she also had problems with her eyesight. On 21 June 2001, she was requested to submit a visual impairment report from her doctor. On receipt of this report it will be forwarded to the Department's medical adviser for a decision in her case and she will be notified of the outcome.