An older persons’ advocacy group is urging the Government to keep its “hands off” free travel passes.
Any negative changes in the State's free travel scheme for pensioners would be "vehemently opposed" by older people, advocacy group Age Action said today.
According to Age Action, the Government is considering one of three changes to the scheme: to introduce annual charges, to limit times at which it can be used, to restrict the form of transport on which it can be used.
The scheme allows older people to "live independently and with dignity", Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said. Any attempt to "meddle with, or water down" would create a "whole new set of problems" for the State's "aging population", he said.
The Government’s working group to review the operation and future development of the €77m per year scheme is expected to conclude shortly.
In a statement the Department of Social Protection said the review had not been finalised. Minister Joan Burton appreciated the “value” the scheme provides to the mainly older people who use it, the statement said. Among the issues being looked at by the review are eligibility , the extent of the service and funding available, according to the terms of reference.
Over half of some 500 Age Action members surveyed said they would not be able to attend medical appointments or shops without their travel passes. Some 60 per cent those surveyed by the advocacy group said they would not be able to visit friends or family without the pass.
The organisation did not want a repeat of last year’s Budget “when the Government abolished the telephone allowance for older people without realising that many older people used their phone for the pendant alarm service.”
The free travel scheme is available to people aged over 66, to carers and some people with disability payments. Over 780,000 people receive free travel which entitles them to use services on Irish Rail, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Luas and some private operators.
