Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will review and investigate the funding crisis existing within the rural transport system in north County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain services have been withdrawn as a result of a reduction in funding; and if he will commit to providing funding in order to maintain services in the Callow, Breedogue and Boyle area. [25178/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The total allocation for the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) in 2008 is Euro 11 million, up from Euro 9 million in 2007. This increased funding is providing for additional services under the Programme together with expanded area coverage. Pobal, which administers the RTP on behalf of my Department, makes specific allocations to individual RTP groups from funding provided by my Department. The management of the RTP is carried out locally and decisions regarding services and routes are made by the individual Boards of Directors.

I understand from Pobal that Tumna Shannon Development Company, which operates RTP services in the north of County Roscommon, has received an increased allocation for 2008. This is in addition to funding under the Free Travel Pass scheme funded by the Department of Social & Family Affairs. I also understand that Tumna Shannon Development Company was successful in securing funding under the Pilot Evening Rural Transport Scheme funded by the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs.

At present, there are two RTP community transport groups operating in County Roscommon, Tumna Shannon Development Company and Aughrim Kilmore Rural Transport Limited. As part of the expansion of the RTP going forward, Pobal envisages that these groups will combine to provide RTP services for the whole of County Roscommon, in order to achieve better value for money. The combined group will be asked to prepare a Strategic Plan for the county for the period 2008-2010. It is envisaged that this Strategic Plan will be completed by September this year and submitted to Pobal for appraisal. An allocation of funding will then be made for the RTP for County Roscommon.