Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to the new free travel pass for Northern Ireland for old age pensioners when they go to their social welfare office in their town, that is, Baltinglass and Wicklow Town, as they are told that they cannot get the application stamped and have to go to the local office in Bray, Arklow or Carlow; the reason for same; if the office in the area where they reside will be allowed to stamp the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13232/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I have recently announced the implementation of the all Ireland free travel scheme which commenced on 2 April and enables pensioners resident here and in Northern Ireland to travel free of charge on all eligible transport services on the island. Implementation of a single travel pass for all-Ireland free travel, acceptable in both jurisdictions, will require the completion of the Integrated Ticketing project being developed under the auspices of the Department of Transport and subsequent integration with the ticketing systems in operation in Northern Ireland. My Department has on-going engagement with these bodies and projects.

Pending development of the integrated ticket system, my Department has engaged with the Department of Regional Development and Translink, the main transport authority in Northern Ireland, to put in place an interim scheme to permit senior residents of both jurisdictions to avail of free travel within the other jurisdiction. As part of this scheme residents of this jurisdiction wishing to travel in the North will be required to use a travel card similar to smart pass as used by their Northern Ireland counterparts. Customers need to apply for the travel pass in person and to supply photographs for authentication at their local Social Welfare Office which is considered the most appropriate location for this service. This is a once off transaction for customers availing of this scheme, but the level of applications will be kept under review to determine if there is a need at some future point to alter the policy.