Louisburg in Co Mayo and Dunmore in Co Galway are among 15 designated areas for a new pilot programme which will see a local hackney service being provided.

The National Transport Authority is offering a grant of €6,000 to individual drivers in each of the rural areas to provide a localised hackney service over a 12-month period.

The 15 areas chosen were selected by the National Transport Authority as they do not currently have a full-time taxi or hackney service available.

People interested in providing the part-time service must have a suitable vehicle, and all other details and application forms are available at www.dlah.ie