Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has proposals in respect of either extending the free travel scheme for Irish pensioners in the UK or for the development of a senior "Euro" card focused on free or concessionary travel facilities for the elderly throughout the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24727/08]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action she has taken on foot of the commitments in the programme for Government to urgently examine the introduction of free travel for returning Irish citizens of pension age who live abroad. [24792/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 138 together.

The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over and to people receiving certain disability or care payments. Proposals to extend the free travel scheme to Irish born people living abroad and those receiving pensions from the Department have been examined and, in this regard, officials of the Department have engaged in discussions with EU Commission officials. However, at this stage, it has not been possible to progress the matter as, under EU legislation, discrimination on grounds of nationality is prohibited. More recently, the European Commission has indicated that to extend the scheme to people in receipt of an Irish pension could also be considered discriminatory.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the national carers strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24742/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she expects to publish a national carers strategy. [24784/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 133 together.

The development of a National Carers' Strategy is a key Government commitment in both the national partnership agreement "Towards 2016" and the Programme for Government. A working group, chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach, is working on developing the strategy. The Department of Social and Family Affairs provides the secretariat to the working group which also includes representatives of the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Enterprise, Trade and Employment as well as FÁS and the Health Service Executive. To date, the working group has met on four occasions, in February, March, April and June 2008.

Developing the strategy involves consultation with other government departments and bodies not represented on the working group. The Department of Social and Family Affairs, on behalf of the working group, has met with a wide range of organisations including the Equality Authority, Combat Poverty Agency, Citizen's Information Board, the National Council on Ageing and Older People, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the National Disability Authority. A request for submissions from the public was published in regional newspapers in early March. The closing date for submissions was Friday 18 April 2008. There was a good response from individuals and organisations and the submissions received are currently being examined.

"Towards 2016" commits the Department to hosting an annual consultation meeting of carer representative groups and relevant government departments and agencies. Such a meeting was held on 23 January 2008. Representatives of 12 groups and 9 departments and agencies attended. The theme was the National Carers' Strategy and groups were given an opportunity to comment on the draft terms of reference and to raise other issues considered relevant in the context of the strategy. It is intended to hold a second meeting with carer groups. The commitment to the development of a National Carers' Strategy also includes a commitment to appropriate consultation with the social partners. The first of two consultation meetings with the social partners was held on 8 May 2008. Key issues raised were recognition for carers and their work, access to suitable health services, income support, training, gender issues and balancing employment and care. It is intended to publish the strategy later this year.