I understand from Area Development Management Limited, ADM, which is managing the rural transport initiative, RTI, on behalf of my Department, that the initiative is now fully rolled out in all the 34 project areas that were selected for funding.
While €4.4 million was earmarked for the RTI in the national development plan, some €6 million has already been provided for the initiative in the two year period ending December 2003 and further funding of €3 million is being provided in 2004. Specific allocations for individual RTI projects are made from this funding by ADM and I have no function in relation to it.
I understand from ADM that the funding allocation for the years 2002 and 2003 for this Sligo RTI project was €86,349. Because the project was not in a position to roll out its services in 2002, only a minimal amount of this funding was expended in that year with the result that a disproportionate amount of the two-year allocation, some €80,000, was concentrated on one year, 2003. In addition, the company was also allocated €6,880 arising from the extension of the free travel scheme to the RTI in 2003.
I understand from ADM that the 2004 RTI allocation for this project is €49,594 before any allocation in respect of the free travel scheme or any other funding that the project might acquire from other sources.
