Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Minister of State. I tabled this matter in the aftermath of receiving a large number of representations from users of the rural bus transport scheme who are concerned about its future. The scheme, which has been in existence since 2002, was established to combat rural isolation. In its infancy it accounted for 151,000 journeys. This rose to 1.7 million last year. A typical journey would involve collecting elderly people in outlying areas on a Friday morning to bring them to the nearest town in order that they might collect their pensions. Another would involve transporting schoolchildren in rural areas to places where they might avail of facilities such as swimming pools on a regular basis. As a Senator based in a rural area, I am acutely aware of the importance of a good rural transport service and I see the wonderful work done by Cavan Area Rural Transport and Baltibus Rural Transport.

A State-subsidised rural transport service not only helps to deliver some measure of equality between rural and urban areas, but it also plays a vital role in combating rural isolation, which is a particular problem for the elderly. A survey undertaken last year shows that 56% of users - two thirds of whom are women - are over 65 years of age. For some people who live in rural areas, the rural transport service is the only connection they have with the outside world. The door-to-door services has, in many cases, provided a lifeline to people, particularly as it brings them out of their homes. A study published by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul indicates that loneliness is the biggest problem faced by older people and refers to the importance of rural transport in addressing the sense of isolation often felt by these individuals. It must be remembered that not every older person is in a position to run a car. In addition, those who have been widowed or who never married often live alone. That is why the service provides such a lifeline.

The 2009 bord snip nua report compiled by Colm McCarthy recommended the abolition of the network and stated:

Given the availability of private sector bus alternatives, the high level of car ownership, and the underutilisation of synergies with other publicly funded local transport services support the view that the level of direct exchequer assistance can and should be eliminated, particularly in light of current budgetary circumstances this programme should be ended.

Work is underway to determine the optimal structure for the delivery of rural transport from an efficiency and service perspective. One of the proposals being examined is that the RTPs be "aligned" with local authorities and that a number of Transport Coordination Units be established.

As already stated, many users are concerned with regard to the service and the shape it will take in the future. People who live in rural areas have already been put to the pin of their collars and many communities have been damaged by mass emigration, Garda station closures and the loss of schools. The potential changes to and decimation of the rural transport network give rise to further cause for concern. The denigration of the network will lead to a reduction in the quality and flexibility of services, which means that many elderly people who live in isolated rural areas will have their mobility curtailed. We are opposed to the centralisation of this scheme and we hope that the existing service will be maintained. We are of the view that the proposed takeover could affect routing and the general management of the voluntary transport system, which has been operating successfully for over ten years.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for public and commuter transport, Deputy Alan Kelly. An overall budget of €9.133 million has been allocated to the rural transport programme, RTP, for 2013. This is a small decrease on the 2012 allocation and it comes during a very difficult time financially. Cavan Rural Area Transport, CART, has been allocated €211,012 in RTP funding for 2013. In addition, €42,348 in free travel pass funding has been allocated by the Department of Social Protection. This represents a total allocation of €253,360 for the provision of RTP services in the Cavan area.

In its programme for Government, this Administration made a commitment to maintain and extend the RTP with other local transport services. The Government recognises that the RTP plays a major role in combatting rural isolation and enhancing the mobility, accessibility and community participation of local people, particularly those at risk of social exclusion.

Denis Landy (Labour)
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I apologise for interrupting but I wish to raise a point of order, namely, that copies of the Minister of State's reply have not been made available.

It is difficult for us to follow the Minister of State without the copy.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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That is a matter for the Minister of State, not for the Chair.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I will send around a copy when I am finished.

Denis Landy (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The aim, therefore, is to strengthen the rural transport programme, RTP, by ensuring a more efficient delivery structure and by maximising integration with other State transport services. It is the ambition of the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, to make the programme a sustainable part of the public transport system.

Developments initiated by the Minister of State since his appointment have been aimed at ensuring that in future we will have a more complete and cost-effective transport service offered in rural areas which better meets the transport needs of all users. To this end, national responsibility for local and rural transport services integration, including the RTP, was assigned to the National Transport Authority, NTA, with effect from 1 April 2012, putting such services in a broader transport context. The national integrated road transport committee was established in April 2012 comprising key stakeholders and chaired by the NTA to oversee and manage a partnership approach to implementing integrated local and rural transport. This was in recognition of the scope for and the desirability of achieving greater levels of transport integration and co-ordination delivery across a range of Exchequer-funded local and rural transport services such as schools and HSE transport services.

I acknowledge the good work already being done by the RTP groups in respect of integration. Significant progress has been made with considerable engagement by the local RTP groups with State agencies which provide transport, for example, Bus Éireann and HSE services. The majority of the RTP groups have services which link with mainstream public transport services, bus stops and train stations. Some 26 RTP groups are now providing services to the HSE throughout the country and I know from my experience in Sligo that this operates very effectively and that it is a fantastic service. Some 16 RTP groups are providing services to schools and preschools. In addition, the RTP groups are now providing services for other organs of the State including Rehab, the National Learning Network, Cara, the Irish Wheelchair Association, IWA, Enable Ireland, Cheshire Homes and the Centre for Independent Living.

The Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, is therefore perfectly aware of the valuable work done by the RTP groups such as CART in ensuring that the transport needs of local communities are being identified and delivered within the available resources. However, given that resources are limited and that the value for money and policy review of the RTP groups published last year recommended organisational restructuring - which I agree with - to achieve efficiencies and the establishment of a better alignment within the groups and local authorities, it is necessary that the current delivery mechanism and structures are examined and revised. In conclusion in this regard the current structures of RTP groups are not sustainable if the required efficiencies and savings are to be achieved. If these are not achieved then given the limited resources available, services will decline and no one is keen to see that happen.

It is about working on the ground. Work has been under way during the past six months to determine the optimal structure for the delivery of rural transport from an efficiency and service perspective. This has involved consultations with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the County and City Managers Association and the Rural Transport Network. In the context of aligning the new structures with the local authority structure as part of this process, the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, received a comprehensive submission from the Rural Transport Network setting out the vision for a restructured RTP based on a more sustainable model of transport for rural areas and building on the integration work to date. Taking on board the views of the Rural Transport Network and others, the Minister of State will ensure that any future structure for the rural transport programme will be based on community input, local flexibility and involving the voluntary sector. By its nature, rural transport is community-based and this will remain under any new structure.

I emphasise that no decision has been taken. The Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, is awaiting proposals from the NTA following the conclusion of its deliberations and discussions. He hopes to be in a position to recommend a new structure in the near future which will allow for the maximisation of spend and services and the reduction of administration costs. While I understand and fully appreciate that this creates a level of uncertainty for the RTP groups, I hope the outcome will be a better service delivered more efficiently. The Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, will be working with all involved in the coming months to make any transition as smooth as possible.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Reilly, have you a brief question?

Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)
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I wish to get a copy of the transcript.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Whip's office will make that available.