Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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377. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will liaise with Kildare County Council to address the safety concerns of residents in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59148/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.

My Department provides grant assistance to local authorities under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for a number of targeted programmes, including the Safety Improvement Programme. Applications are sought each year from local authorities under this programme for consideration for funding in the subsequent year.

As Kildare County Council is responsible for maintaining and improving its regional and local roads, it is the Council's responsibility to determine its priorities and work programme while taking account of the funding provided from grant allocations and from the Council's own resources. As such, it is a matter for Kildare County Council to submit such an application for consideration for funding.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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378. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the powers conferred on a traffic warden under Section No. 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 only apply if they are assisting a school going child to cross a road; if they assist a vulnerable adult or a parent of a child, whether the powers and protections of the section apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59178/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that, while this Department is responsible for drafting the legislation governing the appointment of school traffic wardens, local authorities decide what road safety measures are in place to protect school children.

Under section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, each local authority may arrange with An Garda Sióchána for school traffic wardens to patrol places where school children cross public roads. The warden’s primary role is to ensure that school children cross public roads safely to and from school. School traffic wardens usually work at times when children are most likely to cross the road to or from school.

Failure to stop a vehicle or animal for a school traffic warden, wearing the appropriate uniform and exhibiting the proper sign, is an offence and carries an initial €160 fine and 2 penalty points.

More generally, when approaching a zebra pedestrian crossing, the driver of a vehicle must yield to any pedestrian who is waiting to cross or has commenced crossing the road at the crossing.