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LAST UPDATE | 28 Apr
FROM NEXT WEEK, a free travel scheme will be put in place for survivors of domestic violence and their dependents.
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary will update his Cabinet colleagues on the initiative this morning, which will see travel supports offered through community welfare services such as women’s refuges.
Non-means-tested payments will be made available to victims for an initial period of three months and may then be extended for a further three months. Payments will be individualised based on a person’s needs.
“For anyone experiencing domestic violence, the decision to leave is never easy – and too often, practical barriers like the cost of travel can stand in the way of safety. That is simply not acceptable,” Calleary said today when officially announcing the new scheme.
He said the measure “will make a real and immediate difference in people’s lives” and that there would be “no fuss” for people accessing the support.
The scheme will take effect from 5 May.
It comes following a private members’ bill by Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson, which sought to introduce such a scheme.
Having liaised with Stephenson, Calleary agreed that such an initiative was needed, but that legislation was not necessary to implement it.
Today, Calleary thanked Stephenson for highlighting the issue.
Explaining the need for such an initiative when launching her bill in October of last year, Stephenson said:
“Domestic violence, which mainly affects women, can force those fleeing their abusers into poverty. Having to escape an abusive relationship or ex-partner is always a deeply traumatic experience – but it can also result in additional financial costs for those caught up in these frightening situations.
“For instance, a woman may end up in a refuge located far away from her job or children’s school. The cost of travelling for work, school, healthcare, psychological support or legal advice can put many survivors under financial pressure.”
Meanwhile, Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris will update Cabinet on legislative amendments that will introduce a statutory ‘right to disregard’ for cancer survivors when applying for mortgage protection insurance.
Under the plans, survivors who have been ‘cancer free’ for five years will not have to disclose certain aspects of their medical history and diagnosis when applying for mortgage protection insurance. This is a reduction from seven years.
The threshold in mortgage protection cover will also increase from €500,000 to €650,000.
It’s estimated that this reduction in the remission period could result in an additional 139 cancer survivors each year becoming eligible to have their cancer history disregarded when applying for insurance.
The legislation, which is expected to pass the Oireachtas before the summer recess, replaces an existing voluntary Code of Practice.
Elsewhere, Cabinet is also set to sign off on the details of the Fuel Support Subsidy Scheme today for farmers, farm contractors and fisheries.
Construction contractors and quarry truck drivers will also be covered by the new scheme, which is expected to be finalised in the coming days.
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