James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me opportunity to discuss the need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to include consideration of the rural transport programme in the overall context of all public transport subventions and planning and not in isolation. Taken as part of the whole, the allocation for rural transport is minimal. For example in 2009, of the €575 million allocation for public transport, a mere €11 million or 1.9% was directed towards the rural transport programme. Out of the €73.5 million allocated to free travel passes, a minimal allocation of €1.5 million or 2% went to rural users. We are now at the start of 2012 and a new concept needs to be brought to bear on the issue of public transport.

Such figures as those quoted are unrealistic given the urgent need for upgraded and enhanced transport provision in rural areas. The Rural Transport Network believes that a shared collective vision needs to be agreed, which is fully inclusive of all voluntary and statutory agencies, encompassing all outlooks and aspirations. To promote and develop a fully integrated rural transport system the network advocates the inclusion of rural transport within the public transport network as a whole, to be part of a better integrated and hence more efficient national structure. It is essential that the Rural Transport Network is included as an integral part of any upgraded integrated transport service process. The network envisages a three-year transitional period to foster such inclusion. To assist the process a temporary local-rural transport transition unit should be set up in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. A planned transfer of the Pobal rural transport role to the NTA by the end of the transition period is envisaged.

The RTA also proposes the procurement by the network of school transport and the joint approach of the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Environment, Community and Local Government to the preparation of local transport service plans for each council area, as per the programme for Government. It is also important to address the pooling of all major national transport funding via the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and the National Transport Authority.

As it stands, current policy, regulation and subvention arrangements for public transport have an inherent scope for inefficiencies and lack of effectiveness, especially as has been experienced in rural areas. I know this only too well in my constituency of Longford-Westmeath, where remote areas suffer from a shamefully deficient transport provision. The current problems within the structures for transport provision can be broken down into such difficulties as: unclear roles and responsibilities which give rise to piecemeal arrangements; a marked lack of competition with the exception of intercity services; a disturbing lack of transparency regarding public subvention and lack of a clear picture of what the taxpayer gets from it; a lack of clarity on HSE non-emergency transport policy, practice and expenditure; and potential duplication of some services. Perhaps the most controversial issue regarding rural transport provision is the lack of a coherent location of the RTP in the overall transport framework with a resultant perception of it being an inclusion rather than part of an integrated entity.

I look forward to a positive response from the Minister of State.

See this speech in context