Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister told me during his last session of parliamentary questions that he would have that report early in January. I hope we have it soon. Has the Minister provided funding in each Department to continue that pilot scheme for the year? It is important that it should continue.

Has the Minister had discussions with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs so that a voucher system can be put in place and people in rural Ireland, who can avail of the free schemes but have no access to the public transport, can use the vouchers for taxis and other forms of transport? Some people in rural areas have got the free schemes, but they cannot use them because they have no access to public transport. The people who can avail of the free schemes should be given the option to avail of public transport or to obtain vouchers to use taxis and so on.

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