Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 March 2013
54. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for reform of the rural transport system; if a cost benefit analysis has been carried out on the way savings will be achieved; the rationale behind perceived savings and any equality impact assessment carried out. [15059/13]
View answerSince 1 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 Programme 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. 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 under way to determine the optimal structure for the delivery of rural transport from an efficiency and service perspective. Discussions are taking place with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the County and City Managers Association and the Rural Transport Network in the context of aligning the new structure with the local authority structure. Evaluation of this structure will include consideration of various criteria, such as, cost benefit analysis as well as measures to achieve greater efficiencies and the potential impact and consequences of the new structure. Central to any new structure will be an acknowledgement of the significant role that the Programme currently plays in combating 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 maximising of spend on services and the reduction of administration costs.
