Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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1006. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for expansion on the Safe Routes to School Programme; her engagement to date with the National Transport Authority on reopening this programme for new applications for schools that did not apply previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40947/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.

The School Transport 2030 report, which was published in early 2024 marks the largest review of the School Transport Scheme since it was established in 1967. The Government is committed to working to achieve the report’s recommendation of expanding access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030. The recommended changes to the future operation of the schemes include expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges and moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for money to the Exchequer. A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year.

As indicated at the time of the launch of the review, a number of pilots were being considered by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann. As also indicated at the time of the launch of the review, it was intended that following closure of the application process for the 2024/2025 school year consideration would be given to further potential pilots.

These pilots are currently being evaluated and they will provide valuable insights into the impact of increased demand on the scheme, the potential for integrating public transport with school transport services, and opportunities to promote more sustainable modes of transport. The findings from the evaluation will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme. Further information on plans for the 2025/2026 school year will be available shortly.

Under the proposed revised eligibility criteria, the proposal is, over time, to reduce the distance criteria initially to 2km and 2km at primary and post-primary respectively (from the current 3.2km and 4.8km respectively) and all children who meet this distance criteria from their school of attendance will be accommodated on transport where there is an existing route.

The distance criteria will not apply in towns and cities that are served by public transport as in these towns, children will be encouraged to use public transport that is available to them. In recommending this reduced distance criteria, the Steering Group was mindful that distance should not be reduced to the extent so as to discourage walking/cycling but that it should encourage more families to use school transport. It is also recommended in the review that measures should be pursued to support active travel including liaising with the Safe Routes to School Programme and this is being pursued by officials in my Department in conjunction with the Department of Transport.

The Deputy may be aware that the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was developed in partnership by the NTA and Green-Schools, An Taisce, in 2020, as a response to the need to support schools to increase walking and cycling to school. All schools in the state were eligible to apply to the programme and information was circulated in March 2021 from the Departments of Education and Transport to schools nationwide.

In addition to the above, Ireland’s 2nd National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development – ESD to 2030 (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/national-strategy-on-education-for-sustainable-development-in-ireland/ ) – aims to ensure that all learners have the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development and is co-sponsored by the Department of Education, Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Under ESD to 2030, the Department of Education has progressed a range of initiatives to support and encourage ESD in schools including:

- Funding for schools and organisations to support ESD related projects including a bike library, cycle training and cycle promotion.

- A quarterly ESD Newsletter that issues to all schools and promotes good ESD practice including sustainable transport and active travel

- A Sustainability Toolkit for schools to support them in developing their Sustainability Policy Statement in accordance with the School Sector Climate Action Mandate.

• The sustainability audit for schools includes questions on promoting sustainable transport
• The sustainability guidelines document includes information and resources for schools on Active Travel
• Note: All schools in receipt of ESD funding commit to completing their schools Sustainability Policy Statement.

The An Taisce/ Green Schools programme is engaged with over 90% of our schools. The programme has ten themes including travel, which aims to increase the number of students walking, cycling, scooting, using public transport or carpooling to school. The Travel theme is funded by the Department of Transport and supported by the National Transport Authority.

Green-Schools have dedicated Travel Officers throughout the country who work closely with schools to support them through the 7 Step process of the Travel theme. These officers offer assistance with conducting Environmental Reviews; beginning the schools Action Plan; hosting Days of Action and can help schools apply for cycle training and parking.

As the Department of Transport fund the safe routes to school programme they have advised that while there are no plans for an additional call for the programme currently, funding for Active Travel infrastructure is schools is available in other ways. In fact, all Department of Transport Active Travel funding looks to improve links to schools where possible. In some cases, schools outside the SRTS Programme are included in wider Active Travel projects if they are in the vicinity of these works.