Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 March 2013
41. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that some services provided by Louth Linx who are funded by his Department under the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013 are to be suspended, specifically the Carlingford to Dundalk bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15240/13]
View answerSince 1st April 2012 responsibility for managing the Rural Transport Programme has been assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of new arrangements for integrated local and rural transport approved by Government in January 2012. Currently, the Programme is administered 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. Louth Linx (Louth Leader) is one of these groups.
An overall budget of €9.133 million has been allocated by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport to the Programme for 2013. This represents a small decrease on the 2012 allocation of €9.77 million, at a very difficult time financially. €78,670.50 of the 2013 RTP budget has been allocated to Louth Linx from January to June 2013, with a further proposed allocation of €78,670.00 from July to December. Additionally, €16,213.00 of Free Travel Pass (FTP) funding has been allocated to Louth Linx from January to June, 2013, with a further proposed allocation of €16,213.00 from July to December. This represents a total 2013 allocation of combined RTP and FTP funding of €189,766.50, for the provision of the RTP service across County Louth. This funding allocation covers the planned 2013 RTP service level, which anticipates over 26,000 passenger trips, or 1,185 service trips, by means of two daily services, 18 weekly services and one fortnightly and monthly service.
I have been advised that Louth Linx RTP bus services 502 and 701, Carlingford to Dundalk and Dundalk to Omeath respectively, are currently operational and it is planned that they will remain in operation during 2013. The temporary suspension of the 701 Sunday service to the Cooley peninsula was lifted on the 3rd of March, with the exception of St Patrick’s weekend due to road closures.
