Free travel scheme review
The Leader says the free travel review will examine fraud, abuse and future operation but insists the Government does not intend to interfere with the scheme; Senator O’Brien disputes the characterisation.
The Leader of the Opposition raised the question of the free travel scheme. We have had Fianna Fáil stoking up shamelessly and fear-mongering on this scheme.
Comment on this
The purpose of the ongoing review is to examine and report on the current operation and future development of the free travel scheme. The group's terms of reference are wide-ranging and involve the examination of several issues, ranging from the control of fraud, which the Senator mentioned, and abuse of administration. There are currently 780,000 persons in receipt of free travel. The Government has no intention of interfering with this. The Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, will examine the report of the working group as soon as it is available. However, on the specific issue of recipients, the Minister has made it abundantly clear that she does not envisage any changes to the benefits of recipients under this scheme. The Minister cannot be any clearer on the issue. It is about time Fianna Fáil listened to the undertaking the Minister has given in this regard.
Comment on this
We were listening to Age Action and those who are using it.