asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider extending free travel facilities to persons in receipt of disability allowances, including blind pensioners.

14.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider extending free travel to all persons over 70 years of age who are living on a pension within the State.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.

The free travel scheme administered by my Department was devised primarily for old people aged 70 or over, who are receiving social welfare type pensions. Blind pensioners are already eligible for the facility. Further extension of the scheme is not contemplated.