Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As people recount their woes in getting here on a wet morning, and I cycled in, which was grand, spare a thought for commuters on the north side of Dublin who are experiencing the growth pangs of BusConnects and the cycle network, which is of course welcome. It will, however, take a year and a half and will be a challenge.

Last week, the Taoiseach told me, and it was very welcome, that the Minister is working on a national energy resilience plan. That is the context in which I ask this question about the roll-out of safe routes to school. As I understand it, the present scheme accounts for approximately 5% of schools. We need every school in the country looking at not just how it can safely bring children to school, but do so in a way that is more sustainable from an energy and climate perspective. I would like to hear what the plans are for expanding this scheme.

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