Over half a million euro (€588,902) has been allocated to Galway’s participants in the Rural Transport Programme for 2013.
The funding is being made available in two six-monthly allocations to several Rural Transport providers across the county including:
- Bealach Páirtnéireacht Iompar Áiriúil Chonamara Teo (€211,286 Jan – Dec 2013)
- Galway Rural Development Company (€188,808 Jan – Dec 2013)
- South East Galway Integrated Rural Development Ltd (€188,808 Jan – Dec 2013)
Commented Galway West Deputy, Sean Kyne: “The Rural Transport Programme is an essential programme which combats rural isolation and provides a vital link for citizens residing in more remote areas. The Programme recognises that public transport is a social good that’s worth providing for and its maintenance is committed to in the Programme for Government.
“Minister of State for Transport, Alan Kelly and his department are working on safeguarding the future of the Rural Transport Programme and have conducted a policy review to identify how the RTP providers and public transport providers can work together and best utilise the funding available to continue to meet the transport needs of our communities.
“Following a meeting in Leinster House, Minister Kelly confirmed that work is on-going on designing a new structure that can maximise the value of the resources available. The Minister has also provided assurances that the Rural Transport Programme will continue to be based on community input and involve the voluntary sector,” concluded Deputy Kyne.