Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the rolling basis, let us say eight schools in Limerick were selected with two being secondary schools and six being primary schools. If one school is completed, does another school automatically come in then in Limerick? It is great we see eight city-based schools being included in the safe routes to schools programme under this round. However, we have schools in villages in rural areas. In north County Tipperary we have the likes of Newport and Birdhill. In County Limerick we have Castleconnell, Moroe and Caherconlish. Then we have rural schools. When do they come into the programme?

It is such an innovative idea. It ticks every box with respect to climate change, active travel and health. It should be expedited. Extra funding should be put in to get this rolled out faster. I note there are extra staff being taken on by the Green Schools initiative in An Taisce, the NTA and the local authorities. Will the Minister of State explain the mechanism for when the works will commence for the other schools that did not get on the first list but have been approved? Is it based one school joining when another finishes?

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