John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider an alternative scheme to the bicycle locker initiative for schools and sports clubs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39417/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is very much committed to increasing the number of children choosing active travel modes, such as walking, scooting or cycling, to and from school. Amongst the existing supports already available is An Taisce’s Green Schools Travel programme which is funded through my Department’s Active Travel programme. The ultimate aim of the programme is to increase the number of students walking, cycling, scooting, using public transport or car-pooling on the way to school.

The programme offers registered schools an opportunity to apply for cycle and/or scooter parking at their respective schools and I am pleased to inform the Deputy of the progress in 2020 in that regard:

- Cycle Parking Spaces installed - 300

- Cycle Parking Shelters installed - 18

- Number of schools who received racks and/or shelters - 24

- Scooter Parking Spaces installed - 810

- Number of schools who received scooter parking - 37

Finally the Deputy is likely aware that I launched the Safe Routes to School Programme earlier this year. 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 by providing the necessary infrastructure, including increased bicycle parking.

By the deadline in April, 932 applications had been received from schools in every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified in June that they have been selected for inclusion in the first round of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme to support walking and cycling infrastructure for primary and post-primary schools.

I look forward to the roll-out of this additional infrastructure which will facilitate an increase in the number of students cycle to school.