328 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Social Welfare the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that all registered blind persons are issued with a companion pass when travelling on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21515/96]

329 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Social Welfare the proposals, if any, he has to extend free telephone rental to all registered blind persons who have a telephone registered in their own name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21516/96]

334 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his Department will pay the telephone rental of mobile telephones for qualifying applicants who do not have a regular telephone service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21671/96]

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 328, 329 and 334 together.

The free travel companion pass, which was introduced in 1990, is aimed primarily at incapacitated people who are unable to travel alone and who would otherwise be unable to benefit under the free travel scheme. It is a special version of the standard travel pass and enables a companion to travel free with the pass-holder.

Entitlement to the companion pass has been extended progressively since 1990 and amongst the categories currently covered under the scheme are people in receipt of a blind person's pension from my Department and certain other people who are currently, or who were previously, in receipt of disability allowance — formerly disabled person's maintenance allowance. In July of this year, entitlement to the companion pass was extended to blind or visually impaired children.