Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government contains a commitment to "fully protect the Free Travel pass for all pensioners and work with private and public operators to keep services operating on as many routes as possible". Last week, an 86 year old man who attends a day centre in Virginia received a letter from the HSE requesting a €4 charge on his daily returns. Elderly constituents of mine who attend the millennium club in Tydavnet, County Monaghan, have received similar letters requesting €4 daily payments. It does not sound like much, but it is almost €1,000 at the end of the year. I raised the same matter with the Taoiseach last week because people with disabilities have also received letters asking them for money for their public transport. My constituency has very little public transport. The charges being implemented by the HSE will affect the most vulnerable people in Cavan-Monaghan - the elderly and people with disabilities - and will exacerbate rural isolation. As a result, they will have to stay at home. I ask the Tánaiste to intervene to see what is happening here. It is a matter of communication between the Minister for Health and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The free travel pass should be acceptable. These people should not have to pay to travel to their ordinary day services.

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