Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting, and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions. This should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school. The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority and An Taisce's Green Schools is co-ordinating the programme.

Invitations to express interest were sent to all primary and secondary schools in the country, and 931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June 2021 that they were selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme, while a further 108 schools were announced for Round 2. It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in Rounds 1 and 2 will be selected for forthcoming rounds.

Given the pipeline of projects due for completion, there are no plans for an additional call for schools to join the SRTS programme currently. Some schools outside the SRTS Programme are included in wider Active Travel projects if they are in the vicinity of these works. I would therefore recommend that any school not currently registered with the SRTS Programme to contact their local authority in relation to potential funding in this area.

In addition to the SRTS programme, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have commenced a number of initiatives with the aim of teaching children road safety in an age-appropriate way which helps shape their attitude to road safety and how they behave as they grow and progress through the various stages of being a road user.

Campaigns such as Cycle Right, in conjunction with my own Department and Cycling Ireland, Be Safe! and Lets Go! among others, are resources developed for both teachers and students containing both practical and helpful road safety guidelines covering various modes of transport.