A new rural transport initiative has been launched by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mrs Mary O’Rourke.
The scheme will fund a number of rural community projects aimed at providing transport to those marginalised by the lack of public transport.
£3.5 million has been earmarked for the scheme under the National Development Plan.
Research has found that those most marginalised by the lack of public transport in rural areas are the elderly, women, mobility impaired and the unemployed.
Speaking at the launch in Athlone, Minister O'Rourke said: "Lack of access to transport in rural areas can lead to lack of access to essential services, social and cultural activities and in some instances to lack of access to employment and training."
"With this pilot scheme we will bw in a position to fund a number of community based tansport projects and thereby begin the process of addressing the rural transport problem," she added.
