Free Travel for Domestic Violence Survivors, Cancer Insurance Changes, and Fuel Subsidies Approved
A free travel scheme for domestic violence survivors launches May 5, offering non-means-tested payments. Cancer survivors will gain a «right to disregard» for mortgage insurance after five years cancer-free. Additionally, €100 million in fuel subsidies for farmers and hauliers' support schemes were approved following protests.
A free travel scheme for domestic violence survivors and their dependents will launch on May 5. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary will present the initiative to Cabinet, offering non-means-tested payments for an initial three months, extendable for another three. Payments will be individualized and accessible through community welfare services like women’s refuges.
This scheme follows a private members’ bill by Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson, who will launch it with Minister Calleary in the Seanad today. Stephenson highlighted that domestic violence often forces survivors into poverty, with travel costs for work, school, healthcare, and legal advice adding significant financial pressure.
Separately, Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris will update Cabinet on legislative amendments for a statutory «right to disregard» for cancer survivors applying for mortgage protection insurance. Survivors cancer-free for five years (down from seven) will not need to disclose certain medical history. The mortgage protection cover threshold will also increase from €500,000 to €650,000. This change could make 139 additional cancer survivors eligible annually.
Cabinet is also set to approve details for the €100 million Fuel Support Subsidy Scheme for farmers, farm contractors, fisheries, construction contractors, and quarry truck drivers. Payments will be made from March to July to businesses affected by increased fuel costs. Approximately 120,000 farmers and 1,500 full-time agricultural contractors are eligible.
Additionally, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien will bring details of the Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) to Cabinet. This scheme will support licensed road haulage and passenger operators, TFI Local Link services, school transport, and island transport services. An estimated 25,700 licensed haulage vehicles, 12,400 other haulage vehicles, and 11,900 licensed passenger vehicles may be eligible. Both fuel and transport schemes were approved after recent protests by farmers and hauliers.