Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a date has been set for the introduction of concessionary travel for pensioners on an all-Ireland basis. [8748/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Special cross-Border arrangements have been in place since 1995 which allow Southern and Northern free travel pass holders to undertake cross-Border journeys free of charge.

The introduction of free travel on an all-Ireland basis would enhance these existing arrangements by enabling Southern pass holders to make free journeys within the North. Similarly, Northern Ireland pass holders would be able to make internal journeys within the South free of charge to them.

The programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a system of all-Ireland free travel for pensioners and other eligible social welfare customer categories. However, there is a number of technical and financial issues to be resolved in order to implement an enhanced all-Ireland free travel system. These issues require co-operation between my Department and the Northern Ireland department with responsibility for transport policy, as well as the relevant Northern and Southern transport operators.