Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1001. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will make provision for widows/widowers to avail of free travel at 60 years of age regardless of whether their deceased spouse had free travel or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10982/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The objective of the Free Travel Scheme is to ensure older people and people with disabilities remain active within their community by providing access to existing public and private transport routes. Generally, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments, mainly related to disability and caring.

A widow or widower, aged 60-65 who is in receipt of certain long term Social Welfare payment, and whose late spouse held a Free Travel Pass, may qualify for a Free Travel Pass. This concession was to ensure that widows with limited means and ability to earn additional income did not lose access to free travel and face further hardship.

Any decision to expand the eligibility criteria for the Free Travel Scheme to include widow and widowers aged 60 whose spouse did not have a Free Travel Pass would be a change to the objectives of the Free Travel Scheme and can only be considered while taking account of the overall scheme policy and the availability of financial resources.

My Department does provide income tested Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers and include help towards recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary.

Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.