Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on his Department's work on road safety, funding and new policy as it relates to pedestrian safety and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68117/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Protecting vulnerable road users is a key priority for this government.

The current national framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. This 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.

In July, I published the Phase 2 Action Plan for the Road Safety Strategy, which will run from 2025 to 2027. The action plan focuses on the delivery of 12 primary actions that have the potential for truly transformative change. Each of these actions will be delivered through partnership and collaborative working with a range of road safety stakeholders.

Safe and Healthy Modes of Travel is one of the seven Safe Systems pillars that underpin the Strategy, and Primary Action 1 of the current Action Plan will see the National Transport Authority invest significantly in improved infrastructure for pedestrians and other active travellers in the coming years. Supporting this action, Budget 2026 has made €360m available for such investment over the next year.

Safe Speeds are another important part of the Safe Systems approach. The aim is to reduce speeds to safe, appropriate levels for the roads being used and the people using them. The human body is vulnerable to collisions at high speeds, even when travelling in a motor vehicle. Cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists are even more vulnerable, and at even lower speeds.

Last month, I issued a direction to Local Authorities to commence a review of their urban road networks with a view to increasing the number of 30km/h zones, where this lower speed limit is appropriate and in accordance with the statutory Guidelines issued by my Department.

Research commissioned by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) indicates that approximately 5% of pedestrians hit by a vehicle travelling at 30km/h will be killed. By contrast, this risk increases to 29% of pedestrians when struck by a vehicle travelling at 50km/h. The safer urban speed limits to be introduced by 30km/h bye-laws in the current implementation phase of the Speed Limit Review will contribute to a safer urban environment for all road users.

There has been a significant increase in spending on public awareness, communications and education campaigns by the RSA. As in 2025, the RSA will again ring-fence funding of €18 million for awareness, education and promotional campaigns. This will ensure a continued focus on campaigns that make our roads safer for all road users, including pedestrians.

It is the policy of both the Government and the RSA to recommend the use of high-visibility vests and armbands by vulnerable road users. To support this, the RSA has been running the ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ campaign for over a decade to support road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

As part of this campaign, the RSA distributes thousands of free high-visibility vests and armbands each year. In 2025 alone, I am informed that the RSA distributed approximately 250,000 high-vis safety items including - high-vis jackets, high vis vests, high vis armbands, drawstring bags, rucksack covers and running bibs. In 2025 to the end of October approximately 204,000 high vis safety items have been distributed.

The Government continues to support this campaign and I would encourage all vulnerable road users to ensure that they are as safe as possible on our roads and to avail of these free high visibility safety materials.