Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 659: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the increasing uncertainty to the rural transport service if he will make a firm commitment on the future of same. [15853/11]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 660: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that this State rightly provides free transport to the elderly and the disabled with an assistant and further in view of the fact that this State subsidises private companies to provide the service when no public transport is available, the reason a situation is arising whereby not for profit operators under the rural transport scheme have to charge disabled passengers due to cutbacks. [15577/11]

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 663: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide proper and adequate funding to ensure the future of the rural transport programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15472/11]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 665: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will maintain funding to all 36 rural transport programme companies beyond the end of June 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15265/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 659, 660, 663 and 665 together.

As the Deputies may be aware, there is a recognition within the Programme for Government of the importance of the Rural Transport Programme. Specifically the Programme states that "the rural transport network is vital for rural communities as a reliable and sustainable transport service. We will maintain and extend the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) with other local transport services as much as is practicable."

With regard to the current position, over €10 million is being provided for RTP in 2011. Thirty-six rural community transport groups around the country are being funded under the Programme and are working towards maximising coverage in their operational areas having regard to local public transport service needs and the availability of resources. The Free Travel Scheme of the Department of Social Protection applies to all services operated under the Rural Transport Programme.

However, I understand that charges are being applied to certain rural transport services in County Donegal which are not open to the general public. Those services are not provided under my Department's Rural Transport Programme but are operated under contract with the Health Services Executive (HSE).

Pobal administers the RTP on behalf of my Department and is responsible, among other things, for allocating funds to individual rural community transport groups from funding provided by my Department. Neither I nor my Department have any role in relation to the day-to-day management issues pertaining to the Programme or in allocating funds to particular groups.

A Value for Money and Policy Review of the Rural Transport Programme was commissioned by the previous government and has now been completed. I have just received a copy of the Review Report which I intend to publish later this year following consideration by Government.