661. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or any agency under the remit of his Department provide funding for minibuses to provide elderly citizens in a community in Galway city with greater resources to assist them in their daily routines and to directly improve their health and general well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45332/15]

My Department has no funding for the direct provision of such services.

From monies made available by my Department, the National Transport Authority (NTA) provides funding for socially necessary but financially unviable public transport services, known as Public Service Obligation (PSO) services and also for the provision of services under the Rural Transport Programme.

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