Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide a commitment that the budget for rural transport will be retained. [32002/09]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Transport the position of the rural transport programme in view of the recommendations in the Special Group on Public Services Numbers and Expenditure report and in view of the fact that vulnerable people are depending on same; if same will be continued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32357/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 206 together.

As you are aware, the Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Lenihan T.D., established a Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, under the chairmanship of Mr Colm McCarthy, to examine the current expenditure programmes in each Government Department and to make recommendations for reducing public service numbers so as to ensure a return to sustainable public finances. In July 2009, the Minister for Finance received the Special Group's report and brought it to Government, and the Report was published in full. Among other things, the report recommends the abolition of the Rural Transport Programme.

The Government will be reflecting on the Report's recommendations over the months ahead. Decisions on implementation will rest with the Government and Dáil Éireann, including in the context of preparing the Budget for 2010 and later years. The Government has referred the Report for analysis and comment by the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and General Affairs prior to the Budget in December.