Active Retirement Ireland has welcomed a statement from the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Tánaiste that the Free Travel Scheme will not be subject to restrictions in the future.
A spokesperson for the Tánaiste said that the scheme will not be "undermined" in any way.
Her office was responding to reports in today's Irish Times that a number of State transport providers want some rush hour travel restrictions introduced on the scheme.
Around a quarter of the country's population uses the programme, which is currently under review, however funding has been frozen for the past five years.
Peter Kavanagh, Information & Networking Officer for ARI, said, "Peak-time restrictions were removed a decade ago because of the congestion they caused in our hospitals. It doesn't make economic sense for the Government to revisit that sort of short-term policy. The funding for the scheme has not grown in line with the eligible population, so it's time for the Government to do a little more than just maintain the status quo, but to look at investing in a vital support for older people."
2017
October2016
December2015
December2014
December2013
December2012
December2011
December2010
December