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Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

'No questions about it, the Free Travel pass is safe'

However, a review is taking place, something which Joan Burton makes “no apology” about it.

THE MINISTER FOR Social Protection has signally unequivocally that the government has no intention to scrap the Free Travel pass.

“I want to say loud and clear here tonight: this Government has protected the Free Travel Scheme for beneficiaries in all of its Budgets to date, and will continue to protect the scheme,” Joan Burton told the Dáil.

“The Free Travel pass is safe.”

She was speaking during a Private Members motion from Fianna Fáil that “condemned the Government’s threats to abolish this vital and effective State support”.

Burton said that a review of the scheme, which offers free travel to those aged over 66 or in receipt of Carers and some forms of Disability Allowance, was being undertaken in the context that Ireland’s older population is likely to grow significantly in coming years.

“It is estimated that the over-65 population will rise by nearly 220,000 over the next decade to just over 800,000 in 2024,” she said, “these demographic changes will pose significant social and economic challenges for individuals, families and society in general.”

She added the cost has risen significantly, and that the government makes “no apology” for carrying out a review of the 50-year-old scheme, but one is necessary as “all elements of the public service must work together to deliver value for money and quality public services that meet the needs of our community”.

She said the scheme is “for some… a way to get to work and for others to help them attend their hospital appointments.

For many people, it is a life-enhancing support that goes beyond the term “social inclusion.

PastedImage-65480 Fianna Fáil's Willie O'Dea speaking this evening. Oireachtas.ie Oireachtas.ie

Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on Social Protection Willie O’Dea said that rarely is government money “better spent”.

“The fact of the matter is, the cost of free travel scheme, €77 million, is a drop in the ocean in the overall context of government spending,” he said.

“Never have so little expenditure helped so many people.”

The Terms of Reference of this review are:

  • Clarify the scheme objectives and examine the current validity of the objectives, including their compatibility with the overall strategy of the Department of Social Protection and with national transport strategy
  • Examine the customer group eligible for free travel and, if necessary, make recommendations on the better targeting of the scheme and changes to eligibility
  • Examine the extent of the service provided and, if necessary make recommendations to adjust the serviceIdentify the data on usage which is available, deficiencies in data collection and make recommendations for improving data collection
  • Examine the issue of fraud and control and make recommendations for improvements, particularly in the context of the introduction of the Public Services Card
  • Examine the levels of funding for the Free Travel scheme in the context of overall exchequer funding for transport and the respective roles of PSO and Free Travel funding
  • Consider the interaction between Department of Social Protection, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, National Transport Authority and transport companies, their respective roles and make recommendations for the improvement to the administration of the scheme and the potential for an increased role by the National Transport Authority.

“Absolutely none”: Changes to Free Travel Pass are off the table, says Burton >

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42 Comments
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    Mute John Jim Jataa
    Favourite John Jim Jataa
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:58 AM

    Little known fact about the metal man.
    It was commisioned by lloyds of london, an insurance company in the early 1800′s
    An elegant dandy in tight white trousers with a limp wrist pointing downwards towards the rocks below was invaluable signal to gay seamen looking for a place where they could freely express their sexuality.The secluded Guillamene bathing area (famous for its man only sign which stands until this day) became particularly popular. The otherwise clandestine gay community had found a place where they could meet with like-minded people without being judged. The village of tramore, with its many watering holes and its proximity to the port of waterford became a haven for gay men and ‘loose’ women who could relax from the constraints of Victorian society.
    This unique history has been blotted out by the powers that be, its not a history they want associated with the town. i say, embrace it, celebrate it, recreate it……. it may just be the pull tourists are looking for……

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    Mute mogwa
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    Feb 21st 2013, 1:33 PM

    I want this on a plaque in Tra.

    7
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    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
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    Feb 21st 2013, 9:30 AM

    Fantastic, really unique structures. I once read a history on the Metalman (apologies, I can’t remember the source) but I believe that similar metalmen were built on other points in Ireland and Britain to warn sailors of shallow waters.

    61
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    Mute Mick Kavanagh
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:15 AM

    As far as I remember they were erected by really old insurance companies with the metal point pointing at areas of danger for incoming ships.

    23
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    Mute Mick Kavanagh
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:16 AM

    *man

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:53 AM

    He (in Tramore at least) points out to sea, as if telling on coming ships to turn around and return. Many ships used to mistake Tramore bay as the entrance to Waterford Harbour and run aground so the erected the metalman and his three pillars and two pillars on the brownestown head side to help ships identify that it was not the harbour.

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    Mute Mack
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    Feb 21st 2013, 11:03 AM

    Is there one out in sligo bay between the city and sailing club. Never knew Irish lights were responsible for them.

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    Mute tomeenoldstock
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    Feb 21st 2013, 11:16 AM

    Never knew Sligo was a city?

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    Mute Stephen Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 21st 2013, 9:12 AM

    Never heard of it before

    30
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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:05 AM

    Worth taking a trip down to have a look. The Tramore bay area and that Waterford coast from passage east across to Dungarvan and beyond is a beautiful little part of the country.

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    Mute Reginald Tower
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    Feb 21st 2013, 4:29 PM

    Metalman beer which is brewed in Waterford & named after the statue is also well worth a taste. It won the Irish craft beer of the year 2013. Top Notch. P.S. I don’t work for them :)

    16
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    Mute Reginald Tower
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    Feb 21st 2013, 4:28 PM

    The Copper coastline from Tramore to Dungarvan is gorgeous. The whole area is an undiscovered gem. Stradbally must be one of the most beautiful villages in Ireland.

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    Mute Shane Horan
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    Feb 21st 2013, 12:12 PM

    FYI “Irish Lights” isn’t a private company. The Commissioners of Irish Lights is a statutory (i.e. government) body.

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    Mute John Power
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    Feb 21st 2013, 11:17 AM
    6
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    Mute Shane Wixted
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:54 AM

    Looks like a serious bush drinking spot

    5
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    Mute L. Casei Immunitas
    Favourite L. Casei Immunitas
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    Feb 21st 2013, 1:25 PM

    Three cigarettes with a subbuteo figure stuck on top. Knock em down and put in a McDonalds with a 24 hour drive-thru.

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    Mute Brian Ó Cinnéide
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    Feb 21st 2013, 1:30 PM

    I came here for the lolz. The lolz were had.

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    Mute Mike Synnott
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    Feb 25th 2013, 7:57 AM

    I gave you a thumbs-up for your display name. I actually snorted out loud on the bus.

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