Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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596. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that there are no proposed changes to the routes currently in operation under the rural transport programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44170/13]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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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, their 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.