Rural Transport Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2014

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Questions (541)

Seán Kyne

Question:

541. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the context of the restructuring of the rural transport programme which is being overseen by the National Transport Authority, an agency under the remit of his Department, if there is any impediment to a new transport co-ordination unit, operating in a county of the size of Galway with the country's largest Gaeltacht area, maintaining two offices if the TCU can do so within the administration threshold of €25,000. [35746/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Responsibility for the management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP), was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 1st April 2012. This includes responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the RTP 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.

The new delivery structure for rural transport services involves the establishment of 18 Transport Coordination Units (TCUs) in place of the 35 RTP groups currently delivering the services in order to reduce administrative costs and maximise spending on the provision of services. 

I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.