Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Transport the way schools may apply for funding under the green schools travel programme in 2010 for the provision of a bicycle shelter on campus. [8072/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Green Schools Travel Programme, which has delivered a 22% reduction in reliance on the private car for school travel among participating schools, is module 4 of An Taisce's Green-Schools Programme. The Green Schools Programme adopts a structured approach and it is necessary for a school to have successfully completed the first three modules relating to litter and waste; energy; and water before participating in the travel module.

There is a high level of awareness of, and participation in, the overall Green Schools Programme and I understand from An Taisce that almost 80% of all schools in Ireland are registered.

Funding for cycle parking through the Green Schools Travel programme has proven to be an effective method of encouraging and facilitating students cycling to school. However, research indicates that the provision of cycle parking must be combined with other activities to generate an increase in the number of students cycling to school. These activities include the provision of cycle training and engagement of the wider school community in the decision making process on an ongoing basis.

Schools that participate in the Green-Schools Travel Programme may discuss cycle parking proposals with An Taisce's Environmental Education Unit who will consider these in the context of competing demands on the funding that is made available to that programme by my Department through the National Transport Authority.