§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated annual cost of providing free travel on public transport for pensioners in Northern Ireland. [73984]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe Concessionary Fares Scheme in Northern Ireland is administered by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.
It provides for unlimited travel at half-fare, at all times, on all scheduled services by road and rail throughout Northern Ireland for persons aged 65 and over, as well as children up to age 16 and war disabled pensioners. Registered blind people are entitled to free travel.
Unfortunately, the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland does not hold a breakdown by 'group' of the current expenditure on the existing concessionary fares scheme. The total expenditure for 1997–98 was £9,078,768.