Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
19. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the safe routes to school programme in Cork, in particular setting out, in tabular form, the number of schools that will be included in the programme; to provide a status update on the roll-out of these projects under round 1 schemes and round 2 schemes in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30115/23]
View answerThe Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions. This should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school.
Over 930 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June 2021 that they were selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme. Subsequently two schools have deferred their applications and one school has withdrawn, leaving 167 schools in Round 1. 108 schools were announced as part of Round 2 of the Programme in December 2022, totalling 275 schools now at varying stages of options development, design, planning, construction or completion.
It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in Round 1 will be selected for forthcoming rounds. In Cork, 85 schools in both Cork City and County local authority areas applied for the Programme and to date 26 of these have been selected for Rounds 1 and 2.
In Cork County, construction is complete at Bunscoil Rinn an Chabhlaigh, Rushbrooke and Scoil Phádraig Naofe & Presentation Primary school in Bandon. Construction has commenced this month at Bandon Grammar School and is due to commence at Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan as well as St. Mary's NS, Scoil Iosaef Naofa and Colaiste Muire in Cobh. Public consultation has closed on the project at Scoil Mhuire na nGrást, Belgooly and is due to commence for the Scoil Bhríde, Crosshaven project, while preliminary design is underway at Midleton CBS Primary School. All seven Round 2 schools are at initial stages of data collection and school community engagement. These schools are:
• Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy
• St Colman's College, Fermoy
• Baltydaniel National School
• Coachford National School
• St Joseph's Primary School, Macroom
• St Joseph's Girls National School, Skibbereen
• St Patrick's Boy's National School, Skibbereen
Meanwhile in Cork City, significant works are complete at Gaelscoil na Dúglaise as part of the South Douglas Road pedestrian and cycling improvement scheme and the front of school environment is currently being designed. All remaining Round 1 schools are at preliminary design and public consultation on these projects will commence soon. These schools are:
• St Luke's NS, O'Mahony's Avenue
• Scoil Naomh Iosaf, Riverstown
• Scoil Naomh Caitríona, Model Farm Road
• Glanmire Community College
• Bishopstown Community School
Finally, all three Round 2 schools, namely Cork ETNS and Scoil Barra Naofa Buachaillí and Scoil Barra Naofa Cailini in Beaumont are at initial stages of data collection and school community engagement.
