Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to greatly enhance and extend the rural transport initiative nationwide. [18761/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Rural Transport Programme (RTP) launched in February 2007, placed the pilot Rural Transport Initiative (2002-2006) on a permanent mainstreamed basis with significantly increased funding. Some Euro 9 million was provided for the RTP in 2007 which led to an increase in the frequency of a number of existing services, extended area coverage, and additional groups of passengers accessing rural transport. The scheme is being expanded further in 2008 as a result of an additional €2m being allocated to Pobal in 2008 and I understand that the RTP will be operational in all counties by the end of the year.