Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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523. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the support available to those who face significant travel expenses in order to attend hospital appointments in another county (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15713/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. This can include assistance with transport costs incurred for attending hospital appointments where there are no other supports available.

The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.

In considering an Additional Needs Payment application for assistance with transport costs incurred for attending hospital appointments, the Community Welfare Officer considers any alternatives available to the customer, including transport services offered by the Health Service Executive, other community development initiatives and the applicant's access to the Free Travel Scheme.

The Free Travel Scheme allows persons to travel, free of charge, on all public transport owned by the State. This includes bus, rail, Local Link, and the Luas, with some exceptions. Free travel is also available on some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators.

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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.