Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
463. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend the free travel pass to persons who are the recipient of the care provided by another person in receipt of carer’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20354/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently over 939,000 customers with direct eligibility. Following Budget 2019 the funding for the free travel scheme was increased by €5 million to a total of €95 million.
The social welfare payments that allow persons aged under 66 to a free travel pass include disability allowance, invalidity pension, carer’s allowance, and partial capacity benefit. While medical evidence will be required to determine eligibility for these schemes, it does not, of itself, entitle a person to free travel. Only in the case of a person who satisfies the blindness condition for the blind pension does medical evidence entitle them to a free travel pass.
A person in receipt of all the other qualifying payments receives the pass on the basis of the primary benefit they are paid, and not on the basis of their underlying medical condition, or because they need the help of a carer.
If the free travel scheme was to be extended to all people who are recipients of care by another person in receipt of carers benefit, regardless of whether they receive a qualifying payment, it would have significant costs and require additional administrative processes to be put in place. Accordingly, it could only be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection may award a travel supplement in any case where the circumstances of the case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
