Is Fianna Fáil intent on scaring old people? – Harris

Fine Gael Wicklow TD, Simon Harris, has today (Monday) questioned Fianna Fáil’s motives and accused the Party of trying to scare older people over the free travel pass.

“A number of senior ministers have clarified in recent days that the Government has absolutely no intention of revoking the free travel pass. And yet now we have Fianna Fáil’s Social Protection Spokesperson, Willie O’Dea TD, trying to scaremonger on the issue.

“This Government fully recognises the huge importance of the free travel pass for older people. Minister Joan Burton, who has responsibility for the area, has said there is no intention of changing the pass.

“Willie O’Dea has called for the review of the scheme being carried out by the Department of Social Protection, which is designed to root out fraud, to be halted. Does he not want fraud to be wiped out, which would save the taxpayer money? Does he not want the scheme to be modernised?

“The Government has never suggested revoking the free travel pass, indeed the scheme has been specifically protected in the last three difficult budgets. It has been made clear by senior ministers that pensioners will be protected in the review, yet Fianna Fáil seems intent on causing anxiety and confusion.

“Removing the free travel pass from older people is not on the Government’s agenda, but scaring pensioners certainly seems to be on Fianna Fáil’s agenda.”

ENDS