Dan Boyle
Question:275 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Transport the extent of public transport initiatives currently in use on the inhabited islands. [28587/03]
Written Answers. - Public Transport.
The rural transport initiative, RTI, provides funding for voluntary and community organisations and community partnerships to address the particular transport needs of their rural areas through a number of pilot projects. The initiative is being managed by Area Development Management Limited, ADM, on behalf of my Department. Under the RTI, 34 rural community transport groups are now being funded to provide transport services in their areas and the initiative is operational in parts of practically all counties.
I understand from ADM that there are four RTI projects providing rural transport services on six islands off the coast. These are Comharchumann Chléire, which is operating on Clear Island, County Cork; Síob Teoranta, which is operating on Aranmore and Tory Islands, County Donegal; Bealach Teoranta, which is operating on Inishmore, County Galway; and Meitheal Mhaigh Eo Teoranta, which is operating on Inishbiggle and Clare Islands, County Mayo. More than 2,000 passengers are carried on more than 400 services that are provided monthly on these islands under the RTI.