New County Councillor James Carroll has contacted both the Ministers for Transport and Finance urging them to retain funding for the Rural Transport Schemes throughout Louth.

“Ministers are being asked to bring forward proposed spending cuts by September 11^th to the Department of Finance.  A huge number of people have contacted me in the Togher and Monasterboice areas as well as other areas to oppose An Bord Snip Nua’s recommendation that the Rural Transport Scheme should cease.  The rural transport bus is an excellent weekly and reliable service that is used to get people to collect their pensions, medication and shopping.”

“Furthermore, the quality of life of the passengers of the rural transport buses throughout County Louth has been improved significantly by this service as it gives them dignity, independence and a social outlet.  The closure of numerous rural Post Offices to the centralisation in the towns of the country has led many older people needing a transport service to get themselves to our towns.”

The current Programme for Government makes clear the belief that “vibrant rural communities are vital to the future of our nation.”  Also, at European Union level, one of the EU’s main objectives in supporting rural development is that of “improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of the rural economy.”  The Government’s White Paper on Rural Development sets out that “The Government is committed to ensuring the economic and social well-being of rural communities.”  “Older people have received their best treatment under Fianna Fáil-led governments.  I would hate to see us take this retrograde step.”

“I appreciate that very difficult decisions must be made in relation to the public finances but I feel that this service is irreplaceable to its users and the rural transport bus service throughout the country must continue to receive funding as it is a vital service for sustaining our rural communities.”

ENDS