Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

The Senator is in Government, I suppose.

I thank the Minister for attending. This issue relates to the provision of a travel pass for a 19 year old insulin dependent diabetic. This young man is attending a course in Dún Laoghaire College of Further Education. While attending the course he became very unwell, with his diabetes becoming unstable and out of control. He had to go to hospital. Subsequently, he has been very well cared for by the team in the hospital in Dún Laoghaire, which is led by a number of consultants. He is required to attend the consultant on a monthly basis.

He has now finished his course and is living at home in Athlone. He does not have a job and, as a result, is experiencing severe financial difficulties. His parents are also compromised financially by the recession and are in receipt of family income supplement. Throughout this young man's childhood and early adolescence, his mother was in possession of a travel pass which she never used. She did not need to use it as she had a car. Logically, he asked me to approach the Department about having her travel pass transferred to him, a young adult who urgently needs to be able to access his medical care in Dún Laoghaire.

I have got nowhere with the Department. Could this young man have the travel pass instead of his mother? It is a very logical request. The young man has overcome huge adversity in his life and manages his illness. He has a positive outlook and will achieve everything a normal young lad can achieve. It is incumbent on us to ensure he remains healthy, able to afford to visit his consultant in Dún Laoghaire and that his parents do not have the anxiety and worry every month of wondering how they will afford to get him there. He has a long-term illness book but has been refused a disability allowance. He does not want the allowance because he does not consider himself to be disabled, but he needs support to attend the consultant in Dún Laoghaire.

This anomaly must be addressed. The family never used the travel pass when the young man was younger but now he needs it. Can the Minister get it for him?