Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to mention the new Rural Link programme that seeks to alleviate rural isolation, which has worked well for the past few months. The programme has joined towns and villages. People now have an opportunity to connect with their community, to shop locally and meet grocers, butchers or whoever. The service has now been expanded and a pilot programme, comprised of an extra 60 routes nationwide, will commence between now until the end of December. Next Friday, a service from Kinsale to Clonakilty will commence.

I wish to note that the Local Link service will provide a night service. It will give people the opportunity to attend social events and ensure they are not tied to staying in their houses late at night. People will now have connectivity and, therefore, will be able to enjoy a normal lifestyle of meeting people and socialising in the local community. The initiative is very important and the pilot scheme must be supported. The public must get behind the initiative in order for it to be a success. I hope there will be general support for the pilot scheme and that people will avail of the service. If so, then we can argue for the scheme to be extended. The Local Link initiative has been a great success, as many towns and villages have been connected and I hope people will avail of the new scheme. The day service has been a great success and the night service has the potential to be as successful.