Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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66. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals his Department is working on in conjunction with the NTA to deliver on action points 251 and 254 of the Action Plan for Rural Development to work with rural communities to assess and implement improvements to existing rural transport routes and develop new rural transport routes as necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54714/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Action no. 251 of the Action Plan for Rural Development refers to a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to conduct a review of public transport policy "to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy", which will encompass the rural transport dimension. Following on from this commitment and as further committed to in the latter part of 2017, work is underway in my Department on reviewing public transport policy.

As part of this review, I am committed to convene and host a round-table policy discussion with a wide range of stakeholders from across the public transport and related sectors. The objective of this event is to facilitate an open and inclusive exchange of views from interested parties on the potential challenges and competing priorities likely to arise in the future across all aspects of public transport provision including economic, social and environmental considerations. I expect that the discussions will inform and enrich the policy review work currently ongoing within my Department.

I am determined to hold this event at the earliest possible date.  However, at this stage the event has not been able to take place against a backdrop of recent and ongoing industrial dispute. As I have previously stated in 2017, as soon as industrial relations disputes are resolved my Department will confirm arrangements for the event.

Action no. 254, which relates to making Rural Transport Programme (RTP) vehicles accessible, falls to the National Transport Authority (NTA) to implement, given its responsibility for managing the RTP, now operating under the 'Local Link' brand. I have therefore referred this aspect of your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.