Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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410. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if phase 2 of the Road Safety Strategy 2025-2027 will include specific measurable targets aimed at reducing road deaths among 16- to 25-year-olds; if he will outline the youth-focused actions included in the forthcoming action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41401/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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411. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of any dedicated youth engagement or education programmes being supported under phase 2 of the road safety strategy; if such programmes have been informed by the road user safety forum or recent European Transport Safety Council findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41402/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.

The current national framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The Strategy was launched in December 2021 and follows international best practice, aligns with EU and UN targets, and is based on the Safe Systems approach. The Strategy has the target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% this decade, and to achieving Vision Zero—as close as possible to no deaths or serious injuries on Irish roads—by 2050.

Phase 1 of the Road Safety Strategy ran until the end of 2024, with approximately 169 concrete actions complete or on track at its conclusion. Notable deliverables include publication of an updated National Cycle Manual, publication of the Speed Limits Review, and subsequent implementation of the first set of new default speed limits—of 60km/h on rural, local roads, as provided for in the Road Traffic Act 2024.

The Phase 2 Action Plan 2025-2027 was published on 16 July. This next phase of the Road Safety Strategy identifies 12 primary actions that are transformative in nature and which are themed across the overarching, internationally recognised safe systems approach. Each of these actions will be delivered through partnership and collaborative working with a range of road safety stakeholders.

Primary Action 9c specifically addresses the expansion of road safety education programmes to bring sustained interventions for young people from primary school through to third level.

To support and supplement the primary actions, the action plan includes a suite of supporting actions which reflect a wider range of ongoing important activities currently being delivered by road safety partners, and there is also much important ongoing work within partner agencies that is not fully captured in the Action Plan.

The RSA have advised me on a number of education and awareness campaigns they are running which specifically target young people, including the new Road Safety Matters transition year programme. Road Safety Matters was piloted during the 2024-2025 academic year with up to 5,025 students. A further 250 teachers are registered to attend training in this autumn, extending the reach of the programme to approximately 22,000 students the next academic year.

The RSA hosted its inaugural Road Safety Youth Forum in April 2024, as a space for young people to discuss their common road safety concerns. The group consists of 20 young people aged between 12-23 years with representatives from rural and urban areas nationwide. Since the first meeting the group has met in person on three occasions and once online.

The RSA is also running a number of TV and video-on-demand campaigns to target the 16-25 year old cohort. These campaigns focus on tackling a number of dangerous behaviours including non-seatbelt wearing, driver distraction, speeding, and intoxicated driving.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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412. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the Road User Safety Forum has shaped the development of phase 2 of the road safety strategy; if youth road safety advocates were represented on the forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41403/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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In 2024, my Department established the Road User Safety Forum to ensure that road safety advocates from a diverse range of perspectives had an opportunity to contribute to the Phase 2 Action Plan of the Government's Road Safety Strategy, which was published on 16 July. The Forum's original role was to advise on the development of the Phase 2 Action Plan. Four meetings of the Forum were held during the development of the Action Plan, with members contributing their viewpoints on a range of thematic discussions, including enforcement, active travel and road safety promotion. All of the contributions of the Forum were considered in detail by the Department and the consultants appointed to support development of the Action Plan.

Building on the constructive role that the Forum has played to date, it will now continue for the duration of Phase 2 to advise me as Minister and the Department on Action Plan implementation and emerging road safety concerns.