John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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33. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the safer routes to schools programme will be opened for new applications, if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34787/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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, a further 108 schools were announced for Round 2. Round 3 of the programme was announced in November 2024 which saw a further 141 schools enter the programme, including 67 schools located on high-speed rural routes. 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, 2 or 3 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.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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34. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline how schools might benefit from the active travel funding in the absence of access to the safer routes to schools programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34788/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 provision of safe and connected walking and cycling infrastructure is at the forefront of my department’s priorities, and funding for Active Travel infrastructure for schools is not confined to the Safe Routes to Schools Programme alone. It is important to note that all Active Travel funding looks to improve links to schools where possible.

Given the pipeline of projects due for completion, there are no plans for an additional call for schools to join the SRTS programme currently. However, some schools outside the SRTS Programme are included in wider Active Travel projects if they are in the vicinity of these works.

Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer in relation. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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35. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport of those schools that expressed an interest in the safer routes to school programme when it was introduced in 2021, the number that are yet to receive funding through the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34789/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 including, in some cases, School Zones.

These projects 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 (NTA) 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. 167 schools form Round 1 of the SRTS Programme while a further 108 schools were announced for Round 2 in December 2022. Round 3 of the SRTS Programme was launched in November 2024 with a further 141 schools entering the programme. 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 the Rounds to date will be selected for forthcoming rounds.

Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for the breakdown of schools that have benefited from the safer routes to schools programme since its inception in 2021, by round of funding allocated and by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34790/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 including, in some cases, School Zones.

These projects 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 (NTA) 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. 167 schools form Round 1 of the SRTS Programme while a further 108 schools were announced for Round 2 in December 2022. Round 3 of the SRTS Programme was launched in November 2024 with a further 141 schools entering the programme. 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 the Rounds to date will be selected for forthcoming rounds.

Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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37. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of the schools active in the safer routes to school programme that have benefited from the reduced speed limit on rural roads introduced in February 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34791/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Taisce's Green Schools is co-ordinating the programme.

Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.