ICSA Backs Campaign to Save Rural Transport

 

ICSA rural development chairman Gabriel Gilmartin said today that the Rural Transport Scheme offers a vital service to many people living in remote parts of rural Ireland. Following recommendations by An Bord Snip Nua to discontinue funding of €11 million for the scheme, Mr Gilmartin said “many people, especially the older generation, rely heavily on the Rural Transport Scheme as sometimes their only means of getting out and about.”

“The value of this service far out weighs the costs associated with it. The Rural Transport Scheme allows people have access to hospital appointments, outpatient care and is a means for many to conduct their weekly business at the post office, bank and in local businesses. Perhaps the key element of the scheme is that it allows those living in isolation to have a social outlet and meet friends and neighbours on a weekly basis. The fabric of rural Ireland is changing and sometimes people would have little or no contact with the outside world only for this service.”

“The Bord Snip proposal has not properly analysed the costs and benefits of the various rural transport schemes across the country.  For example, many older customers tend to avail of day care and other health supports, which are preventative in nature.  Without a weekly rural transport facility, many of these people will have their health neglected leading to far more costly interventions at a later stage, which will end up adding to HSE costs,” he continued.

“Worse still, some older people will be so disadvantaged and undermined by the lack of a rural transport service that they will end up being institutionalised on a full-time basis.  This is completely contrary to the stated health strategy. Finally, the recommendation has not analysed the costs associated with doing away with employment (part and full time) of some 200 people who work in rural transport,” he concluded.  

ICSA is calling on the government to ensure that the Rural Transport Scheme is off the table when they sit down to decide on Colm McCarthy’s recommendations.