Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
182. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to open a new round of funding for the Safe Routes to School Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52420/23]
View answer183. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the number of schools that applied for the Safe Routes to School Programme; the number of schools that were successful; the number of schools that must wait for the next round of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52421/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.
In March 2021, I launched the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme as a response to the need to improve safety at the ‘front of school’ environment and enhance access to school grounds. The programme aims to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools and to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities. This will help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.
The Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA). An Taisce’s Green-Schools is coordinating the programme and funding will be made available to local authorities who will play a key part in delivering the infrastructure along access routes and at the school gate.
All schools were notified of the programme and were invited to apply. 931 applications were received from primary and secondary schools across every county in Ireland, making up around a quarter of all the schools in the country. 167 schools form Round 1 of the Programme with a further 108 schools having been selected for inclusion in Round 2. 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 the first two rounds will be selected at a later stage without the need to reapply.
Given the pipeline of projects due for completion, there are no plans for an additional call for schools to join the SRTS programme currently. Round 3 schools are expected to be announced in 2024.
