asked the Minister for Social Welfare why free travel facilities were withdrawn from a person (name supplied) in County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Travel Facilities.
15.
The person in question is aged under 69 and is eligible for free travel only when accompanying her husband who is over that age. A pass enabling her to travel free separately was issued to her in error. This was recalled and will be reissued when she reaches the qualifying age.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the woman's husband is an invalid and consequently is not able to travel by bus and of necessity his wife must do all errands for him? Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider returning this concession to the woman?
I was not aware of the circumstances the Deputy has now put forward. Unfortunately under the existing law the free travel facility cannot be extended if the person does not qualify on age grounds.
If a person applies for a facility and if it is discovered later the facility has been given in error, should that person not be allowed to retain the concession?
The fact that this lady enjoyed for some time a facility to which she was not entitled under the law would not justify the Department continuing that facility once the matter had been brought to their attention.
Is it not a fact that if a person makes an application giving the full facts the law covers him if, as in this case, a facility is given? As such, the person concerned is now entitled to the facility.
As I understand it, these circumstances do not obtain in this case and, since that is the position, the Deputy is asking me a hypothetical question.
Questions Nos. 16 and 17 withdrawn.