Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Transport the financial assistance available to a community group which would like to set up a rural payable bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5629/07]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The pilot phase of the Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) concluded at the end of 2006 and, in line with Government decisions in the matter, work is now underway to mainstream the scheme. This work is based on the experience with the pilot RTI and the outcome of a public consultation process.

Thirty-four community transport groups throughout the country are currently being funded under this scheme to address the particular transport needs of their rural areas. Pobal administers the RTI on behalf of my Department and together with the RTI groups concerned is solely responsible for all the operational aspects of the initiative including the specific services to be provided and their method of provision. Neither I, nor my Department, have any role in these matters.

In line with commitments in Towards 2016 and in parallel with the implementation of Transport 21, Euro 9 million is being provided for the RTI in 2007. This funding will facilitate the transition of the RTI from the end of its pilot phase into the beginning of the mainstreaming process. A local community group that is considering becoming involved in a local transport scheme should make contact with Pobal in the first instance. However, in making specific allocations to the individual RTI project groups from the increased funding, I expect Pobal to work closely with the existing groups to maximise the impact of the funding through, among other things, increased service provision and wider area coverage as well as ensuring continued value for money.

I will announce details of the mainstreaming process at a launch in Donegal on Monday 19 February.