Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of programmes which include wider target groups, such as commuters and unemployed, as recommended in the 2006 discussion paper, Progressing Rural Public Transport in Ireland, in counties (details supplied). [34606/08]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Transport the natural catchment areas of the rural transport programmes operating in counties (details supplied). [34607/08]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of rural transport programmes operating on county boundaries in counties (details supplied). [34608/08]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of car schemes operating under the rural transport programme in counties (details supplied). [34609/08]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Transport if an inter-Departmental group on rural transport has been established. [34677/08]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Transport his role and responsibilities in developing and implementing policy for public transport for rural communities. [34756/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 139 to 141, inclusive, 146 and 149 together.

The Rural Transport Programme arises from the work of an inter-Departmental group which developed the Rural Initiative as a pilot initiative. Since 2007 the scheme has been mainstreamed as the Rural Transport Programme and thirty seven community transport groups around the country are being funded under the RTP to address social exclusion in their rural areas arising from unmet public transport needs. While the provision of transport services for older people and people with disabilities is a core feature of the RTP, services operated under the Programme are open to the general public.

The bottom-up approach developed during the pilot Rural Transport Initiative (2002-2006) demonstrated that local people know best what transport services they need. My role, therefore, continues to be one of 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.

With regard to the natural boundaries for RTP services, over the years, a variety of service models and operational areas have developed from parish-based approaches to operations across two or more counties. Pobal, which administers the RTP on behalf of my Department, has commenced a process to extend the Programme on a phased basis with a goal of achieving nation-wide coverage in due course in line with Government policy. As part of that process, Pobal has indicated that it is having due regard to current Government policy regarding local development structures and cohesion which aims to integrate local delivery structures at County Level.

I understand that RTP funded car schemes are operational in Counties Sligo and Leitrim and that such schemes are being contemplated elsewhere.