Rural link bus funding
Mattie McGrath warns that a successful rural link bus service in Tipperary will run out of money and fears funding for 2019 is unclear. The Minister of State says the scheme was a pilot due to end on 31 December and will be reviewed for possible continuation.
There is no protection from the heavy gangs.
Comment on this
The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, was discussed during a heated debate in the summer. The Minister introduced a paltry sum of €360,000 odd for the rural link bus service which in some areas has worked, limited though the service may be. The rural link company in County Tipperary has been very successful. On its one route it runs three or four day services, with two evening services. However, the company will run out of money on 31 December. It has received no indication that there will be funding provided in 2019. This comes within the programme for Government. Will the Government support citizens living in rural areas and give them some modicum of support through rural transport services? No funding has been earmarked for next year. Companies and providers do not know where they stand.
Comment on this
As the Deputy may know, the scheme announced during the summer was a pilot scheme. That scheme will come to an end on 31 December. The success or otherwise of such schemes will be assessed. In 2019 we will be reviewing the position, with a view to continuing the scheme in the future.
The pilot was to assess how the model might work in rural communities.