Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am very glad to hear that Glór na Mara National School in Tramore is leading the way. I agree with the Deputy. It is not just about the area around the local school but also about the routes used to get to that school. The prize here is a freeing up of parents' time if they do not have to drive but also great independence and freedom for children. Whether travelling by bus, on foot or on a bicycle, there is great learning and independence associated with that. It is also about making the traffic system work for everyone.

In Dublin on weeks or days like this, school traffic makes up about 30% of the traffic during morning rush hour. If that 30% is taken out, it frees the roads up for everyone. Everyone knows this as traffic is much lower in the summer. There are so many benefits to this. It is good for traffic management and children's health and it is great for parents. I agree with Deputy O'Rourke that this is one of the ways we should not waste a good crisis, as Deputy Bruton said. There is a moment in time now as we rethink the school transport bus system. The study from the Department of Education must be imminent. We need to look for some of those other easier wins through design manuals and guides so we can change the school transport system in its entirety, not just the bus system.

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