In the context of the programme for Government and providing a fair and equitable welfare system, I was briefed yesterday by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland concerning an anomaly that exists with respect to people who are partially sighted and fail to acquire a driving licence, in that the criteria for the awarding of a free travel pass for those people are different from the criteria used by the driving licence department. It is only fair that if one is deemed unsuitable to apply for a driving licence that one would be assisted in getting a free travel pass. I ask the Tánaiste to look into that.

This was brought to my attention only a week ago. There is an anomaly but I am not sure I can fix it. I will do more investigation. People who get a free travel pass from the Department of Employment and Social Protection only get one if they are in receipt of another payment but there are many people who are not in receipt of a payment who might have capacity issues with regard to their sight in terms of securing a driving licence. I have to square that circle. I will come back to the Deputy on it but I am aware of that since last week.