Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 596: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to introduce an all-Ireland island-wide free travel for persons on a disability pension; his reasons for excluding same from the all-Ireland free travel scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9687/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to the introduction of a scheme of all-Ireland free travel for pensioners resident in all parts of the island of Ireland. I have recently announced the implementation of the all-Ireland free travel scheme commencing from April 2 which will enable pensioners resident here and in Northern Ireland to travel free of charge on all eligible transport services on the island.

The scheme will extend the existing cross-border free travel arrangements by allowing pensioners over the age of 66 and 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 transport services in this State.

The All-Ireland Free Travel scheme is based on the criteria for entitlement to free travel North and South for pensioners over 66 and applies only to this category. Some 600,000 customers are in receipt of free travel in the Republic of Ireland, of which 430,000 are aged over 66 years. The balance of 170,000 free travel recipients are under the age of 66 and so do not qualify for the new scheme.

The extension of the scheme to an all Ireland free service for over 66s represents a significant expansion in travel opportunities. I will continue to examine any opportunities to further improve and expand on what will, from April 2nd, be a very comprehensive, seamless free travel scheme. Any such additional developments would have to be worked out in conjunction with the authorities in Northern Ireland. The existing cross-border free travel scheme, introduced in July 1995, continues to apply to all Free Travel Pass holders, to enable them make journeys from a point in the Republic of Ireland to a destination in Northern Ireland.

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 597: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reasons older people in receipt of State pensions, are excluded from the back to education allowance scheme; if there are plans to change this rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9688/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The back to education allowance (BTEA) is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. It is essentially a social welfare replacement income which is paid at a standard weekly rate equivalent to the maximum rate of the relevant social welfare payment that qualifies the applicant for participation in the scheme.

Eligibility to participate in the scheme is dependent on the applicant being in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for a minimum period of time and satisfying a lower age condition prior to commencing an approved course of education.

To qualify for participation an applicant must, inter alia, be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment and at least 21 years of age prior to commencing an approved course of study. Persons in receipt of disability related payments may access the scheme at 18 years of age. Similarly, lone parents and persons in receipt of unemployment payments can qualify at 18 years of age provided they are out of formal education for at least 2 years.

The eligibility criteria for participation in the scheme are considered reasonable and targeted in order to ensure that resources reach those most in need of support. If a person is in receipt of BTEA prior to reaching pension age, the annual cost of education allowance, which is currently €400, continues in payment beyond pension age during the remainder of the course of study.

I will continue to monitor the scheme but overall it appears that, the current arrangements ensure that my Department's back to education allowance scheme continues to support those people who are most distant from the labour market and whose need is greatest.