County Tipperary TD and Junior Minister Alan Kelly has come in for criticism for apparent plans to replace rural transport schemes with other schemes under the control of county councils.
A draft report was leaked and seen by the press is said to recommend that 35 community-based companies that run the rural transport network be abolished.
In their place, it is proposed will be a new scheme which will be overseen by eight regional authorities.
Responding to the news Seamus Boland of Irish Rural Link has said that if these changes occur, it could undo the work done over the past ten years.
In response, a spokesman for Mr. Kelly’s office said the draft plans aimed at restructuring the service and cutting administration costs which could enable more money to be put into the services.
He added that this could ultimately result in more services being provided
