Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2013
628. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will describe, with respect to rural transport, the expected efficiencies to be achieved from the proposed establishment of transport coordination units to regionalise transport planning and delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15336/13]
View answerSince 1st April 2012, responsibility for managing the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) has been assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of new arrangements for integrated local and rural transport approved by the Government in January 2012. The RTP is managed by Pobal in conjunction with the NTA as part of the Programme transition. Thirty-five groups covering thirty-six geographical areas nationwide are currently being funded under the Programme.
Since becoming Minister for Public and Commuter Transport, my aim has been to strengthen the RTP by ensuring a more efficient delivery structure by maximising integration with other state transport services and by making the Programme a sustainable part of the public transport system. This is in line with the Programme for Government commitment to maintain and extend the RTP with other local transport services.
Given that resources are limited and that the Value for Money and Policy Review of the RTP, published last year, recommended organisational restructuring to achieve efficiencies and the better alignment of the 35 RTP groups with local authorities, it is necessary that the current delivery mechanisms and structures are examined and revised.
In summary the current structures of the RTP are not sustainable if the required efficiencies and savings are to be achieved. If these are not achieved then with the limited resources available services will decline. I am not prepared to allow that to happen.
Work is currently underway to determine the optimal structure for the delivery of rural transport from an efficiency and service perspective. One of the proposals being examined is that the RTPs be aligned with local authorities and that a number of Transport Co-ordination Units be established. The anticipated efficiencies to be achieved under the proposed structure include the efficiencies and savings identified in the Value for Money Report.
Central to any new structure will be an acknowledgement of the significant role that the Programme currently plays in combatting rural isolation and enhancing mobility, accessibility and community participation of local people, particularly those at risk of social exclusion.
I would emphasis that no decision has been taken but I am hopeful that I will be in a position to recommend a new structure later this year which will allow for the maxmising of spend on services and the reduction of administration costs.
