Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

95. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will introduce a travel allowance for persons with disabilities in rural Ireland who wish to work part-time but who cannot do so as there is no public transport and their travel pass is insufficient; if there is an allowance they can apply for to assist them to allay these costs while the legislation is still being finalised for the mobility allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44910/15]

Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

97. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will introduce a travel allowance for persons with disabilities in rural Ireland who wish to work part-time but cannot do so as there is no public transport and their travel pass is insufficient; if there is an allowance they can apply for to assist them to allay these costs while the legislation is still being finalised for the mobility allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44913/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 97 together.

The current free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by almost 80 private transport operators. Persons resident in Ireland who are over 66 and persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including disability allowance, invalidity pension, partial capacity benefit (under certain conditions) and carer’s allowance, are eligible for the scheme.

My Department also provides annual funding contribution of €1.5 million towards the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which is administered by the National Transport Authority. The rural transport programme provides services to people whose travel needs are not met by existing bus or train services. The Programme aims to enhance and sustain nationwide accessibility, through community based participation, particularly for those at risk of social exclusion.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) the Department of Social Protection may award a travel supplement in any case where the circumstances of the case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.

The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. I am informed that the Minister for Health is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the cost of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.