Dublin: Free Seniors Travel Pass Is Safe Says Government

The Government has said that the free travel pass is safe, has been protected in recent budgets, and will continue to be protected.

Fianna Fáil has tabled a Private Members' motion calling for a suspension of the current review of the scheme.

In response the Government Information Service issued a statement saying a review of the scheme was done in the context of a freeze on funding imposed by the previous government at a time when numbers eligible for the scheme continued to rise.

"This review is about ensuring the viability and sustainability of the free travel scheme into the future, not just this year or next year", the statement said.

The motion has been tabled by Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on Social Protection Willie O'Dea.

He said that changes to the conditions of the travel pass for people over 65 should be avoided as it allows older people to "go about their everyday business and live independently". www.ageaction.ie 

He cited research by Age Action that found over 70% of travel pass holders use it to get to medical appointments, to visit family and friends and to do their shopping.

Mr O'Dea said: "Without it many fear they would become more isolated from their community and network of friends and family."

In response Fine Gael accused Fianna Fáil of deliberately trying to scare older people.

Fine Gael's Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said the motion on the free travel pass is completely inaccurate

She said despite the fact that a number of senior government ministers have stated that there is no threat to the pass, "Fianna Fáil seems determined to whip up fear over this issue." 

She called on Fianna Fáil to withdraw the motion, which she said was "nothing more than scaremongering".

Keywords: travel pass

Dublin: Older People Will Vehemently Oppose Travel-Pass Cuts: AGE ACTION

Age Action launches campaign to protect the Travel Pass for older people

Age Action has  urged the Government not to proceed with planned changes to the Travel Pass for older people, warning that any negative changes to the scheme would be vehemently opposed by older people.

“This is a scheme which is working well and is highly valued by older people as a key support which enables them to live independently and with dignity,” Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said. 

“Any attempt to meddle with, or water-down, the scheme would create a whole new set of problems for Ireland’s ageing population.”

The comments came at the launch of the older people’s charity’s “Hands Off Our Travel Passes” campaign, which aims to rally support against any negative changes to the scheme. The Government is currently reviewing the travel pass scheme and a decision is expected in the near future.  It is considering one of three changes:

·         To introduce an annual charge for the travel pass;
·         To limit the times at which it can be used;
·         To restrict the forms of transport on which it can be used.

Age Action has surveyed 500 of our members across Ireland who  highlighted how important their travel passes were for carrying out everyday tasks such as getting their shopping, collecting their pensions, attending medical appointments, visiting family and friends, social activities.

Significantly, without their travel passes they said they would not be able to attend medical/health appointments (57%), shop (55%), carry out personal journeys (eg to the bank or post office, 43%) or visit family or friends (61%).  It is also important for the domestic tourism industry with 60% of older people using their pass to go on a holiday or short break. 

For further details read: http://www.ageaction.ie/sites/default/files/pdf/Briefing%20document.pdf

“We carried out this research so that our policy makers can understand the importance of the travel pass and how older people use it,” Mr Timmins said.  “We don’t 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 travel pass is greatly valued by older people, who feel very strongly that it should not be interfered with.  “Any negative changes to the scheme would be vehemently opposed by older people,” Mr Timmins warned.

The “Hands Off Our Travel Passes” campaign aims to rally political support to protect  the travel pass scheme.  “We need the public’s help to get the support of all of our TDs and local politicians,” he said.

“We are asking every TD, Senator and councillor to confirm their support to protect the travel pass scheme from any negative changes.”

They can confirm their support in two ways:
·         Email handsoff@ageaction.ie , stating their name and constituency;
·         Download the “I Support” poster here (link to “I Support” poster PDF) from the Age Action website (www.ageaction.ie/travel-pass)   print it out,  take a photograph of themselves with it and email that photo tohandsoff@ageaction.ie  We will post it on our Facebook page.

Each week we will provide an updated list of who is supporting the campaign on our website.  “If your TD, Senator or councillor is not on that list, ask them why” Mr Timmins said. “Everyone has a role to play in ensuring this important support for older people is protected.”

FOR MEDIA QUERIES CONTACT EAMON TIMMINS, HEAD OF ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS, AGE ACTION, 01-4756989 OR 087-9682449.

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