249 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Transport the status of the application by a group (details supplied) with their rural transport initiative for the north Irishowen area. [9513/08]

250 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Transport the number of rural transport initiatives currently operating; and the budget for the scheme and number or rural transport initiatives in County Donegal. [9514/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together.

Some Euro 9 million was provided by my Department for the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) in 2007 and a further Euro 2 million has been allocated for the Programme this year. Pobal administers the RTP on behalf of my Department. There are two schemes under the Rural Transport Programme in operation in County Donegal — Seirbhis Iompair Tuaithe Teoranta (South West Donegal) and Síob Teo. (An Gaeltacht Lár and the islands of Arranmore and Tory).