Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress which has been made in realising an all-Ireland free travel scheme. [23020/06]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress which has been made in relation to putting in place an all-Ireland free travel scheme for pensioners resident in all parts of this island. [23019/06]

Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to the introduction of an all-Ireland free travel scheme; the discussions he has had on the issue; and if he will make a statement on when such a scheme may be implemented. [23840/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 77 and 319 together.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to a scheme of all-Ireland free travel for pensioners resident in all parts of the island of Ireland. The scheme will enable pensioners resident here to travel free of charge on all bus and rail services in Northern Ireland. Likewise, pensioners in Northern Ireland will travel free of charge on services in this State.

In July 1995, my Department introduced the cross border free travel scheme. This scheme extended free travel entitlement so that free travel pass holders resident in Ireland could undertake a cross-border journey from a point of departure in one jurisdiction to a destination in the other jurisdiction free of charge. The introduction of an all-Ireland free travel scheme would further extend the existing arrangements by allowing pass holders to take onward journeys free of charge to them.

My Department covers the full cost of cross-border journeys made by Department of Social and Family Affairs pass holders. It also covers the cost of the southern element of cross-border journeys undertaken by Northern Ireland pass holders. Under its own concessionary fares scheme, the Department for Regional Development for Northern Ireland covers the cost of the northern element of cross-border bus and rail journeys made by Northern Ireland pass holders.

Some 220,000 cross-border journeys are undertaken each year at a total cost of EUR3.3m; my Department pays EUR2.9m and the remaining €0.4m is covered by the Department for Regional Development for Northern Ireland.

Intensive discussions in relation to the introduction of the proposed all-Ireland free travel scheme have taken place between officials from my Department and their counterparts in the Department for Regional Development for Northern Ireland. Discussions have also been held at ministerial level, and the matter was raised by the Taoiseach with the Prime Minister. I will continue to focus on delivering a suitable scheme at the earliest possible date.