John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the allocation of funds to rural bus projects throughout the country; if his Department has allocated moneys to ADM for distribution; and when allocations will be issued to each of those projects. [12214/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I announced on Friday, 15 April 2005 an increase in the funding allocation for the pilot rural transport initiative, RTI, in 2005 from €3.45 million to €4.5 million. The increased funding will provide scope for the 34 community transport groups being funded under the scheme to undertake a modest expansion of services, as envisaged in the 2004 evaluation of the RTI.

Area Development Management Limited, ADM, administers the RTI on behalf of my Department and has sole responsibility for making specific allocations to individual project groups from funding provided by my Department. I understand that ADM is communicating decisions to the individual RTI project groups regarding specific funding allocations for 2005 following the finalisation of agreed business plans. In making such allocations, I have called on ADM to work closely with the groups to maximise the impact of the increased funding and to ensure continued value for money.