Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1909. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she intends to include a measure under this year's CLÁR programme for improvements to parking, turning and other facilities on primary school grounds where the 80 km speed limit applies to ensure the safety of pupils, staff and parents, given that there are still schools in CLÁR areas that require such improvements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1002/23]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period.
Since the CLÁR programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures. Funding of over €57 million has been approved for almost 2,100 projects. This included almost €22 million for safety related measures at schools/community facilities.
Under the CLÁR 2022 programme, funding of over €12 million was approved for almost 300 projects. The measures funded were:
- Developing Community Facilities and Amenities (Measure 1)
- Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport (Measure 2)
- ‘Our Islands’ (Measure 3)
The Measures to be included in the CLÁR programme are reviewed each year and will be reviewed again in advance of the next launch of the programme.
Safety measures at schools remains a priority for Government. It should be noted that the Safe Routes to School Programme (SRSP) 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 improvements to walking and cycling facilities. It is funded by my colleague, the Minister for Transport through the National Transport Authority and supported by the Department of Education.
€15m was allocated to support projects at 170 schools in the initial round of SRSP funding, announced in June 2021. A further €20m was announced in the second round of funding, announced in December 2022. This will support a further 108 schools, benefitting some 37,000 school children.
