Written answers

Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Benefits

9:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the situation whereby persons in receipt of the carer's allowance who are providing care to a child are eligible for the free travel pass, however, the child is not; if she has evaluated the cost of extending this entitlement to such children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16185/11]

Photo of Sandra McLellanSandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she would consider allowing discretion on applications for free travel similar to the medical card applications to those that have serious health problems that have to travel long distances to hospitals for treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. [16498/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 193 together.

The free travel scheme is available to people aged 66 years or over, carers in receipt of carer's allowance and carers of people in receipt of constant attendance or prescribed relative's allowance, regardless of their age, receive a free travel pass. It is also available to people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain disability type welfare payments, such as disability allowance, invalidity pension and blind person's pension. In the majority of cases, persons who are being cared for will be in receipt of a payment in their own right (for example a State pension or disability allowance) and will be entitled to have a free travel pass. This includes anyone aged over 16 who qualifies for disability allowance.

For a child requiring full-time care who is under age 16, a domiciliary care allowance of €309.50 per month may be paid to the parent or guardian. This payment is not means tested and is to provide for the additional costs involved in providing care and supervision that is substantially more than that normally needed by a child of the same age. This may include additional travel costs. The Health Service Executive (HSE) may also assist with transport costs in certain circumstances.

With the exception of those over 66 years of age, free travel passes are only provided when the person is in receipt of a qualifying payment from the Department. All of the Department's disability and invalidity payments carry an entitlement to a free travel pass with the exception of illness benefit which is regarded as a short-term scheme. I have no plans to extend the scheme further to provide travel passes to those who are not in receipt of a qualifying payment.

Photo of Paul ConnaughtonPaul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason, after a four-year delay, that she is pursuing a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16190/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A review of the circumstances which gave rise to this overpayment is being undertaken. The Department will contact the person concerned shortly in this regard.

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