Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 147: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will reverse his decision to end funding in respect of evening transport services in seven rural areas including east and west Cork, Cavan, Sligo, Roscommon, Donegal and Laois from 7 July 2009 in view of the role that transport services play for senior citizens and other vulnerable citizens in rural areas and the existing rural public transport gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25390/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Evening Rural Transport Scheme was funded by this Department as a Pilot initiative, with 7 groups selected. It was always intended that funding would be on this pilot basis and would, therefore, be temporary.

In the context of the pilot scheme coming to an end, I recently met with representatives of 6 of the 7 groups to discuss with them their experiences of operating the pilot Evening Scheme, the costs involved in administering it and how elements of it might be incorporated into the Rural Transport Programme going forward.

Pobal, who administer the pilot Scheme on my behalf, will be meeting with the 7 groups this week to discuss with them how certain priority evening services that they operate might be incorporated into the Rural Transport Programme which is operated by the Department of Transport.