Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014
798. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the progress to date in reforming rural transport and how his Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to devise the rural development strategy to include improvements in rural transport, tourism and diversity of sporting facilities and activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7715/14]
View answer830. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date in reforming rural transport; the way these plans relate to the work of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in devising a rural development strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7720/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 798 and 830 together.
The restructuring of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) involves the establishment of 18 Transport Co-ordination Units (TCUs) in place of the existing 35 RTP Groups currently delivering the service. The appraisal process of the applications (submitted in response to the Call for Applications from existing RTP Groups) for the selection of the TCUs was conducted during the months of December 2013 and January 2014. That process, which was managed by the NTA, has concluded and all applicants have been informed of the outcome of the selection process. The NTA has offered debriefing meetings to all unsuccessful applicants who requested one and is currently scheduling meetings with the successful applicants to initiate the process to establish the TCUs. I should add in the context of rural development that under the new RTP structure, for the first time local authorities will have a role in transport planning. Local authorities will carry out strategic transport needs assessment in their areas, including for those who are socially excluded, and will develop annual transport plans, in consultation with the respective TCU, which will inform the NTA of transport gaps and needs in each county. It is also the intention that local authorities will house the TCUs where feasible. Finally, I recognise that tourism is particularly important to rural areas as a source of employment, particularly where there are often few other significant industries. My Department is currently engaged in a tourism policy review which is due to conclude by the middle of the year and these and other issues will be considered in that review.
The wider question of the development of a rural development strategy is of course for the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and for the Environment, Community and Local Government. My Department is ready to engage as necessary with any initiatives of this kind.
