Speaking today, following a meeting with Age Action Ireland, Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick called on the Government parties to reassure Senior Citizens that they will NOT take away their travel passes under the Free Travel Scheme.

Leader of the Fianna Fáil Group on Dublin City Council, Cllr Fitzpatrick said “Our Senior Citizens are bearing the brunt of relentless Government budget cuts and taxation increases.  Senior Citizens in Ireland are surviving rather than living.  To consider reviewing the Free Travel Scheme is a shameful, cynical, short-term attack on the elderly.  I am calling on the Government to commit to retaining the Free Travel Scheme for all Senior Citizens in the upcoming budget”.

Cllr Fitzpatrick stated “A survey conducted recently by Age Action across Ireland shows that the Free Travel Scheme is a basic necessity and a lifeline for their members. 73% of Senior Citizens surveyed use their travel pass to get to local shops with 45% stating that they would no longer be in a position to get to a shop if their travel pass was taken away”.  Cllr Fitzpatrick continued “Older people, after decades working and paying their taxes, should be respected and supported, the decisions by this Government to review the Free Travel Scheme is causing massive undue stress to the most vulnerable in our society”.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said “Taking travel passes from senior members of our communities is taking away their ability to attend appointments, to travel to shops, to join social activities, basically taking away their ability to live independently. A decision to take away the Travel Pass Scheme would force many Senior Citizens from living in their own home, would increase isolation, and would be impact on future generations of older people”.