Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2021
157. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the status of his work to expand the safe routes to school programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53628/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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 allocated to Schools included in the first round to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools. The Programme 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.
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. The schools selected were assessed against a range of criteria including school type, location and the schools' 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. Hence 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.
