Free travel for a disabled person’s companion
Yates sought free travel for companions of people unable to travel alone. Desmond said only spouses of pass holders qualify to travel free with them, and extending this to others would cost an estimated £4.5 million.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider the extension of the free travel pass concession to persons who accompany those who have cards, are handicapped and cannot travel alone; and if he will grant a free travel pass to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Comment on this
The daughter of the person referred to by the Deputy in the question has had a free travel pass since 1977 as a recipient of disabled person's maintenance allowance. Her mother, however, cannot qualify for free travel until she reaches pension age of 66.
Under the existing scheme all persons entitled to free travel may have their spouses travel free only when accompanying them. If persons other than spouses were allowed to travel free with the persons mentioned by the Deputy substantial extra costs, estimated at some £4.5 million, would be involved.
The cost of the scheme in 1983 is estimated at £19.5 million and additional funds are not available that would enable the scheme to be extended in the manner suggested.
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