Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

While I have not had any recent discussions with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, regarding the provision of a rural transport service, I am very aware of the work he is doing in this regard and I fully support the rural transport initiatives being operated by his Department.

Indeed, the rural transport initiative, RTI, has been a great success. It has been operating on a pilot basis since 2002 and, under the initiative, 34 community transport groups around the country are being funded to address the transport needs of their areas through the provision of local transport services. RTI projects provide public transport services for people in rural areas who otherwise would not have access to transport for shopping and accessing basic essential services.

The pilot phase of the RTI finishes at the end of this year and preparations are under way to mainstream the RTI from 2007 onwards in line with Government commitments in the matter. I understand that a budget of €9 million will be provided for the RTI in 2007.

As articulated in the White Paper on Rural Development, the Government remains committed to providing essential public services in rural areas to ensure a proper environment for economic development, promote social inclusion and support dispersed, viable rural communities.

See this speech in context