Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand. Under this, the NTA also manage the rollout of the Community Car Scheme (aka Community Transport Scheme).

The Community Car Scheme was launched in 2019, and after a successful pilot rollout during 2019 to 2021, in addition to the existing five Community Cars which have been in place since early 2019, approval has been granted to expand the pilot scheme. A number of applications have been received and are currently being processed by the NTA.

However, the scheme that the Deputy is referring is not under the remit of the Department of Transport, it is administered by a Leitrim volunteer group under the Leitrim Development Company. The remit of the Minister for Transport covers public transport, open to all, and does not cover dedicated/closed services.

I have also been advised that the Leitrim Development Company is funded by my colleague Minister Humphreys' Department of Rural and Community Development. The Scheme to Strengthen and Support Volunteering aims to provide a cohesive framework of support in the community and voluntary sector. This year, €6.6 million is being provided under this scheme to support 29 volunteer centres and a number of volunteer supporting organisations, as well as the implementation of the National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025. However, this funding is fully allocated for these purposes, and does not extend to provide operational costs for projects akin to the one referenced by the Deputy. The current programmes in support of Local Development Companies such as the LEADER and SICAP Programmes are winding up in 2023 and the process to select organisations to deliver these programmes over the next five years is underway

The Department of Rural and Community Development has also provided an additional €1.5m since mid-2022 to support Volunteer Centres and volunteers in their continuing efforts to respond to the needs and support the integration of displaced Ukrainians and new communities in their areas. However, eligible costs under the allocation must be for activities that directly relate to the Volunteer Centre supports to Ukrainians and new communities.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand. Under this, the NTA also manage the rollout of the Community Car Scheme (aka Community Transport Scheme).

The Community Car Scheme was launched in 2019, and after a successful pilot rollout during 2019 to 2021, in addition to the existing five Community Cars which have been in place since early 2019, approval has been granted to expand the pilot scheme. A number of applications have been received and are currently being processed by the NTA.

However, the scheme that the Deputy is referring is not under the remit of the Department of Transport, it is administered by a Leitrim volunteer group under the Leitrim Development Company. The remit of the Minister for Transport covers public transport, open to all, and does not cover dedicated/closed services.

I have also been advised that the Leitrim Development Company is funded by my colleague Minister Humphreys' Department of Rural and Community Development. The Scheme to Strengthen and Support Volunteering aims to provide a cohesive framework of support in the community and voluntary sector. This year, €6.6 million is being provided under this scheme to support 29 volunteer centres and a number of volunteer supporting organisations, as well as the implementation of the National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025. However, this funding is fully allocated for these purposes, and does not extend to provide operational costs for projects akin to the one referenced by the Deputy. The current programmes in support of Local Development Companies such as the LEADER and SICAP Programmes are winding up in 2023 and the process to select organisations to deliver these programmes over the next five years is underway

The Department of Rural and Community Development has also provided an additional €1.5m since mid-2022 to support Volunteer Centres and volunteers in their continuing efforts to respond to the needs and support the integration of displaced Ukrainians and new communities in their areas. However, eligible costs under the allocation must be for activities that directly relate to the Volunteer Centre supports to Ukrainians and new communities.