151 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not receiving a full contributory old age pension; and the details of their full contribution record since they commenced working in 1954. [12297/02]

The person concerned reached age 65 in January 2002 and is getting a retirement pension from my Department. To qualify for maximum rate retirement pension, a person must have a yearly average of at least 48 reckonable social insurance contributions over the period from 1953, or from the start of the contribution year in which they entered insurance, if later, to the end of the last full contribution year before reaching age 65.

According to my Department's records, the person concerned first entered insurable employment in January 1954 which is in the contribution year July 1953 to June 1954 applicable to women at that time. Accordingly her yearly average falls to be calculated over the 49 year period July 1953 to December, 2001. She has a total of 1,211 contributions paid or credited over this period resulting in a yearly average of 25. This qualifies her for a 98% retirement pension at the weekly personal rate of €103.90.

152 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will introduce a pro rata pension to those who paid PRSI contributions at the self-employed rate with more than five years' and less than ten years' contributions; if his Department will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford whereby this person paid eight years contributions and is being paid the same as someone who has contributed for five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12324/02]

The person concerned is in receipt of a special old age contributory pension introduced in April 1999 for self-employed people who were aged 56 or over in April 1988 and who have, at least, five years' contributions paid since then. These people would not normally qualify for a pension because they could not satisfy the basic conditions required for pensions purposes, particularly the requirement to have entered insurance ten years before pension age. The special pension is paid at a flat-rate of 50% of the standard maximum rate with equivalent increases for adult and child dependants, where applicable.

The measure introduced in April 1999 was intended to address the situation of this group of people who narrowly failed to qualify for pension. The special arrangements introduced at that time represent a positive and reasonable response to the situation in which this group of people found themselves.

153 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not receiving child benefit for her three dependent children who are in full time education. [12326/02]

The person concerned has been receiving child benefit from the UK under EU regulations as her husband is self-employed there. As the rate of UK child benefit is lower than the Irish rate of child benefit since June 2001, a supplementary payment in respect of the difference in the benefit rates has been paid by my Department.

154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the way in which he proposes to address the free travel needs of carers who live in areas which do not have public transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12397/02]

The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by semi-State companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as services provided by some 80 private transport operators. The vast majority of these private contractors operate in rural areas. My Department is always willing to consider further applications from licensed private transport operators who may wish to participate in the free travel scheme. While my Department pays transport providers to operate the free travel scheme, it is not in a position to provide services where none exist.

In this regard, an interdepartmental committee on rural transport, chaired by the Department of Public Enterprise, is considering issues relating to the availability of transport services in rural areas. I understand the committee will report during this year. In addition, my colleague Deputy Mary O'Rourke, Minister for Public Enterprise, recently announced that 19 community groups have been selected to receive funding under the rural transport initiative. The aim of the funding is to encourage innovative community-based initiatives to provide transport services in rural areas with a view to addressing the issue of social exclusion in rural Ireland which is caused by lack of access to transport. Funding of €3.8 million has been provided for this purpose. My Department is in discussions with the Department of Public Enterprise on the role that the free travel scheme can play in supporting these pilot projects.

155 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be awarded the carers allowance. [12447/02]

The person concerned was in receipt of carer's allowance in respect of one of his parents who recently died. An application for carer's allowance in respect of the other parent, together with recent medical evi dence, is being considered. On receipt of a report from the Department's medical assessor, his application will be further considered and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome. Under social welfare legislation decisions on claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.