Vol. 532 No. 3
96 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if, in the context of the new rural transport initiative aimed at introducing transport service in the more isolated parts of the country, she will consider rural areas in Laois-Offaly for such a pilot project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7272/01]
The rural transport initiative – RTI – aims to promote and support the development of innovative, community based public transport projects in rural areas. Some £3.5 million has been earmarked for this purpose in the national development plan. The consultation document on the proposed process for the RTI which I issued last week enables interested parties to comment before 23 March.
A call for proposals, which will be open to applicants from all rural parts of the country, will be issued as soon as possible after completion of the consultation. All proposals, including proposals from Laois-Offaly, will be assessed in line with the eligibility and other criteria governing the initiative.
