asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have the restriction on travel between the hours of 4.00 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Friday evenings removed on CIE buses to allow handicapped students to return to their homes in the country for the weekend.

The restrictions referred to by the Deputy apply to persons who already qualify for free travel. Students as such do not, however, qualify for free travel. It is not clear, therefore, to what type of situation the Deputy is referring. If he will let me have more precise details, I will be glad to have the matter considered further.

The question does refer to students who are handicapped and are in possession of free travel passes from the CIE.

Issued by whom?

Issued by the Department of Social Welfare through the health boards to those in receipt of the DPMA.

I shall have the matter looked at. DPMA recipients are entitled to unrestricted passes, which is why I am a little puzzled by the question. Perhaps the Deputy would let me have further details and I shall have the matter further clarified.

15.