John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding will expire for operators of the rural transport scheme in November 2009 and services will be withdrawn at that time unless an indication of continued funding is given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36361/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 204 together.

There are commitments to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) in the National Development Plan, Towards 2016 and the Department of Transport's sectoral plan under the Disability Act 2005. The renewed Government Programme also contains a commitment to explore the provision of a full-scale transport system in rural areas using the network expertise of Bus Eireann and the resources of the school and health transport systems. The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended the abolition of the RTP. The Government will consider the Group's recommendations as part of its preparations for Budget 2010. The Government has also referred the Group's report to the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and General Affairs for consideration prior to the Budget.