Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021
117. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made in relation to projects associated with the school active travel programme in County Mayo; and the level of investment and future proposals to support these future initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44235/21]
View answerIn March, I was delighted to launch the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme which will support Active Travel infrastructure for selected schools around the country. The Programme will see approximately €15 million of funding this year to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools and aims to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities, alleviate congestion at the school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.
All schools were eligible to apply to the programme and information was circulated from the Departments of Education and Transport to schools nationwide. By the deadline of 16th April, 931 applications had been received from schools in every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June that they have been selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme, including 7 schools in Mayo. The schools selected were assessed against a range of criteria including school type, location and the school’s commitment to sustainable travel.
Schools that have applied this year and who have not been included in the first round of funding will not be required to reapply as they will come into the programme on a rolling basis. There are no plans for an additional call for schools to join the SRTS programme at this time.
The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Taisce's Green-Schools is co-ordinating the programme. Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have forwarded your correspondence to them for a more detailed reply.
