Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the impediment encountered by wheelchair users, persons who are visually impaired, elderly and people with restricted mobility have with the present public transport system in rural areas where access to public transport for such people is a problem; if his attention has been further drawn to the extra costs that people with such disabilities have in having to use alternative transport; the proposals he has for persons with limited mobility to gain access to public transport in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6392/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) launched in February 2007, thirty-four community transport groups around the country are being funded to address social exclusion in their rural areas arising from unmet public transport needs. Older people and people with disabilities form the core customer base of the RTP. Pobal, which administers the Programme on behalf of my Department, has commenced a process to extend the RTP on a phased basis with a goal of achieving nation-wide coverage in due course in line with Government policy. Indeed, I recently announced increased funding of €2m for the RTP in 2008 to assist this process. Funding is also available to the Programme from the Department of Social and Family Affairs in respect of the Free Travel Scheme which applies to the RTP.

The bottom-up approach developed during the pilot Rural Transport Initiative (2002-2006) demonstrated the effectiveness of the community and voluntary initiative and involvement in the provision of rural transport services. The RTP is building on that concept and the main drivers of community rural transport continue to be the local communities themselves.