Written answers
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
Department of Transport
Rural Transport Services
10:00 pm
Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for the development of the rural transport initiative in County Roscommon; his further plans at a national level for the development of the service between now and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9108/07]
Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Transport the current rural transport scheme for the Wexford area; if there are plans to extend this scheme; if this scheme will be extended throughout parts of north County Wexford, in particular the Riverchapel area which has seen a sizeable increase in population over the past ten years but which is not serviced by essential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8993/07]
Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.
I recently announced the arrangements for a new Rural Transport Programme (RTP). This new Programme builds on the success of the pilot Rural Transport Initiative and puts it on a permanent mainstreamed basis.
In line with commitments in Towards 2016 and in parallel with the implementation of Transport 21, â¬9 million is being provided for the RTP in 2007: double the 2005 allocation. The National Development Plan 2007-2013 â Transforming Ireland, commits some â¬90 million to the Rural Transport Programme over its full term.
Thirty-four community transport groups throughout the country are currently being funded under the RTP to address the particular transport needs of their rural areas. Two of these groups âWexford Area Partnership Ltd. and the South West Wexford Community Development Group â are operational in County Wexford, while two other groups â Aughrim-Kilmore Development Association Ltd. and Tumna Shannon Development Company Ltd. â are operational in County Roscommon.
Pobal, which administers the Rural Transport Programme on behalf of my Department, will work closely with the existing groups to maximise the impact of the increased funding through, among other things, increased service provision and wider area coverage as well as ensuring continued value for money.
Existing Rural Transport groups proposing to expand their services or local community groups considering setting up of a new scheme should make contact with Pobal at Holbrook House, Holles Street, Dublin 2 (www.pobal.ie).
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