Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 151: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a closing date or dates are operated by his Department in respect of the Civil Service travel pass scheme; if so, the dates in question; the way in which temporary, seasonal or other non-routine workers are accommodated in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4929/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department participates in the travel pass scheme that is agreed centrally by the Department of Finance. The scheme operating at present allows employees to avail of an annual commuter ticket by means of a deduction from salary. Employees are not charged tax-PRSI on the portion of the salary sacrificed.

The scheme is available to officers employed on a permanent or probationary basis, as well as officers employed under a fixed-term contract in my Department. The closing date for applications for 2006 annual tickets was 18 November 2005. However, most transport providers allow for part-year tickets, commencing in any month of the year and valid until December of that year, this caters for employees who choose to join the scheme at a later date.

There is no provision in the current scheme for seasonal or other non-routine workers. My Department will co-operate with any future changes that may be made to the scheme centrally to cater for such officers.