Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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397. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed and the reason for refusing a domiciliary care allocation for them re-examined considering their complex needs. [32990/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 1 February 2021. 

Under social welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive. However, it may be reviewed by an Appeals Officer under section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 in the light of new evidence or new facts that were not before the Appeals Officer when the decision was made.

I am advised that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review their decision, if the person concerned submits additional evidence to support their case. 

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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398. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the free travel pass cannot be used on services provided by a company (details supplied); if her Department will consider applying its usage to the company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33356/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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At end May, over 998,800 customers are eligible for free travel, at an annual cost of €95 million.  Under the free travel scheme, travel is permitted for eligible customers free of charge on most CIE public transport services, Luas and a range of services offered by some 80 private operators countrywide, who participate in the scheme. 

The company concerned already participates in the Free Travel scheme, for a route other than the one referenced by the Deputy. The transport provider concerned has been in contact with my Department in relation to the additional route.

Due to the continuing, though reducing, impact of Covid-19 measures and restrictions on transport service provision, the uncertainty around numbers travelling and the lack of reliable survey data, it is a difficult time to enter new routes to the scheme.  Progress in the sector is kept under review and as these variables stabilise and services return to more normal levels, additional routes can be considered for inclusion in the scheme.  

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.