Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to not only maintain but to develop rural passenger transport services and to comply with the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain and extend the rural transport programme with other local transport services as much as is practicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33652/12]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I established the National Integrated Rural Transport Committee (NIRTC) earlier this year to oversee and manage a partnership approach to implementing integrated local and rural transport. The Committee which is chaired by the National Transport Authority, is drawn from organisations representing key stakeholders in the local and rural transport integration process including rural transport groups, the HSE, Pobal, Local Authorities, Bus Éireann and policy makers from relevant Departments.

The Committee has been meeting on a monthly basis since April to ensure momentum is maintained in addressing the many complexities associated with effective integration of local and rural transport service provision. The structure of RTP Groups, the nature of local and RTP operations and the extent of HSE and school transport services varies across different areas as does the amount of data available. Consequently, the NIRTC established sub-groups to examine the four key areas of health related transport services, school transport services, logistics e.g. trip-booking systems, ticketing, information, and appropriate structures to support integration. The sub-groups are involving other stakeholders in their work and seeking input from relevant sources as appropriate.

The key area of work for the sub-groups is to identify constraints or high-level impediments to integrated local and rural transport, along with recommendations on how these should be managed.The output from the sub-groups will also inform the design of model areas to test how integrated local and rural transport services can best operate to achieve greater synergies, better meet identified transport needs and deliver increased value for money for the Exchequer.

The outcome of the model areas will inform the wider national roll out of integrated rural transport services on an incremental basis. The sub groups are expected to make an initial report to the NIRTC later this month who will then report to me. In the light of the reports from the sub groups and NIRTC I will be reviewing progress and deciding on the next steps.

This new approach, bringing together all of the key stakeholders is endorsed by Government and is the first time that a national focus and coherence has been brought to the delivery of an integrated rural transport service. This reflects the importance that the Government attaches to the contribution that a carefully designed and efficient rural transport service based on local needs, will make to overcoming social exclusion in rural areas.