Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:30 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she favours the development of reciprocal free travel arrangements for pensioners throughout the European Union; and her proposals in this regard. [19380/02]
Vol. 556 No. 2
30 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she favours the development of reciprocal free travel arrangements for pensioners throughout the European Union; and her proposals in this regard. [19380/02]
The free travel scheme is generally available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over. It is also available to carers and to people with disabilities who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments.
The free travel scheme, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland concessionary travel scheme, provides free travel on cross-Border routes for pass holders of both jurisdictions. This scheme applies to cross-border journeys and not travel exclusively within each jurisdiction. I would refer in this connection to the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government to setting in place an all-Ireland free travel scheme for pensioners resident in all parts of this island.