Local TD Robert Troy has said the public cannot trust the Government’s assurances that no pensioners will lose out in the review of the Free Travel Scheme.
Deputy Troy said: “Has the Government learned nothing from the fiasco over the review of medical cards? They have caused huge anxiety by taking discretionary medical cards off thousands of people with serious illnesses. For two years ministers denied that people with genuine medical cases were losing out and now they’re asking us to trust them with the review of the free travel scheme.”
Deputy Troy explains that the scheme provides free bus and rail travel to people over the age of 65.
“There are hundreds of people across Westmeath who depend on the Free Travel Scheme every day. Any attempts to change or tamper with the travel pass will not be tolerated. It is an essential support provided to older people to help them live independently.,” he added.
On top of this Deputy Troy says he is still getting cases where discretionary medical cards are being removed from people weeks after the Government supposedly put a stop to its review of medical cards.
