134 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress which has been made under the rural transport initiative; the phase the process has reached and when she expects decisions to be made regarding the funding of projects. [30575/01]

The rural transport initiative is being administered by area development management on behalf of my Department. The closing date for applications under the initiative was 17 Sep tember and the proposals received have been assessed by ADM in line with the selection criteria. The assessment process is nearing completion.