Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 570: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will set up an interdepartmental working group to look at ways to co-ordinate transport for rural communities, across all Departments to ensure access and equity for persons in isolated rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2529/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Rural Transport Programme was introduced by my Department some twelve months ago following a very extensive public consultation process. This Programme places the former pilot Rural Transport Initiative (2002-2006) on a permanent mainstreamed basis with significantly increased funding.

The bottom-up approach developed during the pilot Rural Transport Initiative demonstrated that local people know best what transport services they need. My role, therefore, continues to be one of facilitator, helping local communities to address their transport needs through financial and administrative support, while communities themselves take the lead in clarifying their needs and developing co-ordinated transport services to fulfil those needs.

The programme is administered by Pobal on my behalf which is in touch with other Departments e.g. Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, on the programme as the need arises. I am satisfied that the arrangements for dealing with cross-Departmental issues which arise in administering the programme are working well and I do not, therefore, see the need for a formal Inter Departmental Working Group.