Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2014
535. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the pilot scheme on rural transport will be reviewed; when this review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35273/14]
View answerThe pilot Rural Transport Initiative scheme ran from 2002 to 2006 and was mainstreamed as the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) in 2007.
In April 2012 the National Transport Authority (NTA) was assigned responsibility for managing the RTP. This includes responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the Programme announced on 9th July 2013. The purpose of the restructuring is to protect the future provision of rural transport services through a more efficient and effective delivery structure that maximises integration with other State funded transport services and by making the Programme a sustainable part of the public transport system. This is in line with the recommendations of a Value for Money and Policy Review of the RTP, published in 2012.
The restructuring involves the establishment of 18 Transport Co-ordination Units (TCUs) in place of the existing 35 RTP groups currently delivering the service. The new TCUs will be housed in local authorities where this is practical, with the aim of reducing administrative costs and forging the links in local service provision.
The NTA has advised that 3 TCUs have signed Grant Agreements with the Authority under the new arrangements and that the remaining TCUs are expected to be in place this autumn.
