Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if free travel for older persons and those with disabilities is being cut to off peak only times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32555/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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At the outset, let me say that I am very conscious of the needs of people on Social Welfare and fully understand that a wide range of groups depend on the welfare budget for vital support. In the context of a very tough budgetary environment, I will do my utmost to protect the most vulnerable people in Irish society, including people with disabilities and older people in receipt of the free travel scheme.

My Department will spend over €77 million in 2011 on the free travel scheme which will benefit over 700,000 people, some 520,000 of whom are aged over 66.

Sustainable public finances are a prerequisite for maintaining an adequate system of social protection as well as for achieving future economic stability and growth. For these reasons, the State must pursue a determined deficit reduction strategy. Accordingly, there will be an on-going requirement to curtail expenditure and prioritise resources in my Department and in all other Departments, in 2012 and in later years.

In this regard, my Department has completed a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. The purpose of the review is to assess the effectiveness and value for money of spending programmes across all Departments and agencies. All spending lines are being examined without exception and possible ways of reducing spending are being considered in every area of expenditure. The fact that measures have been identified in which spending could potentially be reduced does not mean that all of these approaches will be implemented.

The intention behind the methodology being followed is to provide the Government with a set of decision options to enable it to meet three objectives. These objectives are firstly to achieve overall fiscal consolidation outcomes, both as regards spending and numbers reduction targets, secondly to re-align spending with the programme for Government priorities and thirdly, to consider new ways of implementing Government policy in the context of public sector reform.

In my discussions with my colleagues in Government I will have regard to any views expressed by welfare representative organisations. In this regard, I held a Pre-Budget Forum on 16th September last. This was attended by 34 organisations and my officials and I had the opportunity to listen carefully to their proposals relating to the next Budget.

I would like to stress that no decisions have been made to date in relation to welfare expenditure next year. These decisions will be made in due course after full consideration by the Government and will be announced on Budget day.

Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their application for disability; and if she will expedite a response. [32561/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. The average time taken to process a claim to completion, including assessment of the claimant's means, medical condition and habitual residence status is approximately 17 weeks.