Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will abstain from enforcing further cuts on senior citizens in Budget 2013; if she will protect the free travel pass as many senior citizens use this to travel to hospital appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45862/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Expenditure on pensions in my Department amounts to nearly €6.26 billion in 2012 or 30.4% of total expenditure. As regards free travel, the cost of the scheme has risen substantially in recent years, from almost €46 million for 608,000 customers in 2001 to over €75 million for 726,000 customers in 2011. Expenditure on the scheme has been frozen since 2010. The Comprehensive Expenditure Report, 2012 – 2014, published last December, provides for additional new expenditure reduction measures of €1,033 million over the next two years in the Department of Social Protection’s budget. This includes €540 million of new savings to be achieved in Budget 2013. Reducing overall expenditure in 2013 and beyond in line with these targets will be very challenging. The Government has not yet finalised its consideration of these matters. The level of expenditure on pensions and other schemes within my Department in 2013 will be announced on Budget Day.