Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2019
353. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health the proposals he is considering and has discussed with other Departments with regard to providing practical and reliable transport systems to cater for persons in rural areas particularly senior citizens to which bus or taxi and hackney services are not readily accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5138/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October of 2018 I proposed an App based taxi service dubbed "RUXI" to be developed to allow persons to offer transport to the public with the use of their own car subject to insurance, NCT and Garda vetting. The proposal is to target areas of rural Ireland that currently have no public transport or taxi services.
My colleague, Shane Ross TD the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has requested the National Transport Authority (NTA) to evaluate the proposal and I am due to meet with the NTA on the 13th of February to discuss the matter. I have also furnished the proposal to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Justice and Equality.
I have written to the Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and requested that he would consider debating the issue in his committee with the various stakeholders. I will be happy to update the Deputy again post my meeting with the National Transport Authority.
