Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans, in view of the Government commitment to encouraging people to up-skill their educational qualifications and the assumption that this will lead to an increase in demand for teachers at third level, to reinstate the back to education scheme for masters degree students that was terminated on 1 January 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31933/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The back to education allowance is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications, thereby enhancing their prospects of returning to the work force. The objective of the scheme is to assist people at risk of becoming dependent on the social welfare system on a long term basis. The focus of the scheme is on providing assistance to the highest possible number of those in greatest need in terms of meeting the requirements of the modern labour market.

It is recognised that primary degree qualifications impact positively on the employment prospects of those who hold such credentials. Possession of a Master's degree is not regarded as a prerequisite to re-entering the workforce and at present there are no plans to extend the scheme to cover courses leading to a Master's degree. I will continue to monitor the scheme but I believe that its current scope is sufficiently wide to meet its objectives and ensure that limited resources are targeted at those who are most in need.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if holders of the free travel pass can avail of the pass for train specials, that is trains specifically laid on for the day of the all-Ireland and so on, with Iarnród Éireann; if she will provide a complete breakdown of the travel facilities available for free travel pass holders and the restrictions on the pass; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31949/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The free travel scheme permits eligible customers and their spouses/partners to travel for free on most CIE public transport services and the public transport services offered by some ninety private operators in various parts of the country. Free travel is also available on cross border journeys between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In addition, customers aged 66 years and over can avail of free travel within Northern Ireland. There are currently some 600,000 customers availing of the free travel scheme at an annual cost of €66 million. There are no travel restrictions on scheduled services operated by companies participating in the scheme.

The following services are not, however, covered by the free travel scheme:

Services not listed in the official CIE rail and bus timetables;

Special bus/rail services;

Tours and organised group journeys;

Dublin Bus Nitelink services;

Dublin Bus special airport services.