Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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1654. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an assurance that in the reform of rural transport over the coming months any revised plan for County Kerry will ensure and guarantee that all existing routes that cater for the rural population of County Kerry will be maintained and enhanced as is, since the commencement of this service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37757/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) announced by me on 9 July 2013.  The purpose of the restructuring of the RTP is to protect the provision of rural transport services into the future.

I am advised by the NTA that during the restructuring of the RTP, the priority is to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of existing RTP services, meeting the needs of those affected by social exclusion during this time of change.  In this regard, the NTA's focus is to move the existing RTP services into contracted services with the NTA, whether directly with the operators, or with the fleet owning groups.  At the same time, the NTA will examine existing contracted services to ensure that they are meeting current demands.  Based on the current funding available, the NTA has no plans to modify or reduce specific services.  This includes the services currently provided under the programme within the Kerry region.