A report launched by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, has identified public transport as a significant factor in rural disadvantage.
The report, Rural Transport - a National Study from the Community Perspective, found that more than a third of the rural population has no access to transport or a serious difficulty with regard to it.
That difficulty leads to further difficulties in obtaining employment child-minding and social interaction.
Published yesterday, the report suggests that a key factor in the success of community transport initiatives is the local community impetus. "In other words the local population, all of whom are potential users, should be engaged in so far as possible, in the planning, establishment, operation and monitoring of such services," said Dr Tony Crooks, chief executive officer of Area Development Management (ADM), which commissioned the report.
"By neglecting to consider the social effects of an inadequate transport system on rural communities, the serious implications identified in this report will only worsen as the population ages," added Dr Crooks.
Launching the report, Ms O'Rourke said transport poverty was widely recognised as a contributing factor to disadvantage. She said the Government welcomed the suggestions contained in the report.
Ms O'Rourke was also in Cavan town yesterday to open a regional bus depot for Bus Eireann. The depot will serve as the hub for a number of destinations in the northern half of the island. Services include those to Belfast, Enniskillen, Galway and Athlone. The additional services will be operated by high-capacity commuter coaches. The Minister said the enhanced services were brought about through the Government's commitment to improving public transport.
Almost £200 million has been provided in the National Development Plan for the development of Bus Eireann Services between 2000 and 2006.
