Written answers
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Rural Transport Programme
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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535. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the pilot scheme on rural transport will be reviewed; when this review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35273/14]
Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The pilot Rural Transport Initiative scheme ran from 2002 to 2006 and was mainstreamed as the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) in 2007.
In April 2012 the National Transport Authority (NTA) was assigned responsibility for managing the RTP. This includes responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the Programme announced on 9th July 2013. The purpose of the restructuring is to protect the future provision of rural transport services through a more efficient and effective delivery structure that maximises integration with other State funded transport services and by making the Programme a sustainable part of the public transport system. This is in line with the recommendations of a Value for Money and Policy Review of the RTP, published in 2012.
The restructuring involves the establishment of 18 Transport Co-ordination Units (TCUs) in place of the existing 35 RTP groups currently delivering the service. The new TCUs will be housed in local authorities where this is practical, with the aim of reducing administrative costs and forging the links in local service provision.
The NTA has advised that 3 TCUs have signed Grant Agreements with the Authority under the new arrangements and that the remaining TCUs are expected to be in place this autumn.
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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536. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the restructuring of the rural transport programme and plans for any potential redundancies (details supplied) that may arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35276/14]
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Following a Government decision in January 2012, responsibility for the integration of local and rural transport services, including management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP), was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 1st April 2012. This includes responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the RTP announced on 9th July 2013. I have forwarded your question to the NTA for any update on the position outlined in their letter to you of 25th July 2014, in response to your Parliamentary Question No. 743 of 15 July 2014. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
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