Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if free travel (details supplied) is available to European Union nationals; if he will consider amending the legislation to provide that European Union citizens visiting this country, while not living permanently here, be able to avail of the same entitlements. [7349/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The free travel scheme is 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.

European nationals aged 66 or over who are permanently living in Ireland, qualify for free travel in the same way as Irish citizens aged 66 or over.

The issue of extending the free travel scheme to non-resident pensioners was examined in the review of the free schemes which was published by the policy institute, Trinity College, Dublin in 2000. The review considered that the main objective of the free travel scheme is to encourage older people and people with disabilities to remain independent and active within the community, thereby reducing the need for institutional care.

It noted that extending the scheme to Irish pensioners living abroad who visit Ireland would have significant administrative and cost implications even if it was confined to those in receipt of Irish social welfare pensions. In 2000, it was estimated that the extension of the free travel scheme to EU pensioners could incur expenditure of the order of €10 million to €19 million, depending on the level of concession granted.

It appears that, if the scheme were extended along the lines suggested, it would have to be extended to all pensioners who are EU nationals coming to Ireland for temporary stays.

I am mindful that this matter has been raised in the House a number of times recently and I am continuing my examination of the issues involved.