Emer Currie
Question:786. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to provide data on bus stops (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2160/26]
View answerBus Services
Questions (786, 787, 788, 789)
Emer Currie
Question:787. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to provide data on bus stops (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2161/26]
View answerEmer Currie
Question:788. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to provide data on bus travelling speeds (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2162/26]
View answerEmer Currie
Question:789. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to provide data on bus travelling speeds (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2163/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 786, 787, 788 and 789 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Question No. 787 answered with Question No. 786.
Question No. 788 answered with Question No. 786.
Question No. 789 answered with Question No. 786.
Bus Services
Questions (790)
Emer Currie
Question:790. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the details on driver swaps (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2164/26]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
School Transport
Questions (791)
Erin McGreehan
Question:791. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an updated list of all schools in County Louth currently participating in the Safe Routes to School Programme; and if he will outline the most recent status of each school, including any newly added schools or those progressing through assessment or implementation.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2221/26]
View answerWritten answers
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 932 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. Schools are processed in tranches with 4 Rounds having been announced to date. 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.
Following the announcement of Round 4 of the SRTS Programme in December 2025, 14 schools in Louth County Council are now active in 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.
Artificial Intelligence
Questions (792, 793)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:792. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is using artificial intelligence tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers; and if so, to outline which projects or units of the Department are affected. [2256/26]
View answerRichard Boyd Barrett
Question:793. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport whether any agencies or other bodies under his remit are using artificial intelligence tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers; and if so, to outline which projects or units of the organisation are affected. [2274/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 792 and 793 together.
My Department has not used any artificial intelligence (AI) tools for graphic design or similar work to replace creative agencies by taking work in-house and using AI to create imagery.
Noting the relevance of the Deputy's second question to the agencies and other bodies under the aegis of my Department, I have referred this question to them for a direct reply. If you do not receive a response within 10 working days, please advise my private office.
Question No. 793 answered with Question No. 792.
Road Safety
Questions (794)
Michael Murphy
Question:794. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he is considering the rolling out of further average speed zones nationwide; the lessons from existing zones regarding the effectiveness and suitability or otherwise of this measure as a road safety initiative in respect of various categories of road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2293/26]
View answerWritten answers
Since 2024, An Garda Síochána has deployed 12 new speed cameras – 9 new static cameras and 3 new average speed cameras - across the road network. There is now a total of 5 average speed cameras in place at the M50 (Dublin Port Tunnel), M7 (Nenagh Tipperay J26 – J27), N3 between Belturbet and Cavan Town, N5 at Swinford in Mayo, and N2 between Cullen and Ballymagarvey in Co.Meath.
Increasing the number of average speed cameras, as well as fixed cameras, is a Programme for Government commitment. This commitment is reflected in the Phase 2 Action Plan of the all-of-Government Road Safety Strategy
It is a matter for An Garda Síochána to decide on the number and deployment of speed cameras. As the operators of the present cameras, and being responsible for issuing of Fixed Charge Notices, An Garda Síochána would hold the data on the effectiveness of the cameras already operating in Ireland. The Deputy may wish seek the views of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, in these regards.
My Department is also developing the next Road Traffic Bill to fulfil further Programme for Government commitments, including in relation to camera-based enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences.
Road Safety
Questions (795, 796, 799, 800)
Barry Ward
Question:795. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the work of the Learner Driver Support Programme (details supplied); the actions he will take to engage with their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2355/26]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:796. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider meeting with the operators of the Learner Driver Support Programme (details supplied) to discuss their work and offer support to their cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2356/26]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:799. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the merits of creating a mechanism for a pilot programme of the Learner Driver Support Programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2359/26]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:800. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport regarding any research ongoing within his Department into the experiences of other countries/ districts that have implemented a Learner Driver Support Programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2360/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 795, 796, 799 and 800 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes all operational, application and scheduling matters. I have therefore referred the Deputy's questions to the RSA for direct reply and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Pending this response, under Action 7A of the Phase 2 Action Plan of the Road Safety Strategy the Road Safety Authority will 'enhance the learning to drive programme based on evidence from international best practice, in tandem with improvements in the driving test'.
To inform its work in this area, the RSA is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the driver testing curriculum, in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology. The objective of this work is to ensure the service is fit for purpose, future-proofed, and capable of adapting to advancements in vehicle technology. It will also take into account international best practice in this area. I am informed that this work is at an advanced stage and that recommendations designed to enhance driver education in Ireland will be presented to my Department in early 2026. Once the review is completed this will inform the next stage towards enhancing the learning to drive programme and fully delivering on Action 7A of the Phase 2 Road Safety Action Plan.
The Deputy may also wish to note that I met with the founders of the Learner Driver Support Programme in May 2025 and I am informed they have separately met with my officials and officials working in the RSA.
Question No. 796 answered with Question No. 795.
Road Safety
Questions (797)
Barry Ward
Question:797. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding any initiatives proposed to target road safety messages at the 16–25 year old age bracket following statistics published by the RSA that outline that this cohort is statistically the most at risk of death or serious injury on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2357/26]
View answerWritten answers
In 2025, 38 young people aged between 16 and 24 lost their lives on our roads. This included 19 drivers, 11 passengers, 4 cyclists, 3 motorcyclists and 1 e-scooter user. The RSA recognises the importance of targeting young people and in that regard it has developed advertising and awareness campaigns specifically designed for this age cohort. It also targets this cohort through campaigns that focus on various road user types including drivers, cyclists, motorcylcists and e-scooter users.
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.
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. The new Road Safety Matters transition year programme was piloted during the 2024-2025 academic year and exceeded expectations, with the RSA successfully delivering training to teachers from almost 140 schools nationwide, representing over 12,700 students. I am informed by the RSA that in 2026 it aims to complete a national rollout to all 730 post-primary schools offering TY, expand the teacher capacity with new Professional Learning sessions in Q1 and Q3 2026, host an award programme specifically for participants of the programme, and rebrand and tailor the programme for Youthreach, ensuring inclusive, relevant road safety education across diverse learning settings. I am also informed that in 2026 the RSA aims to scale its Junior Cycle Road Safety Education (13 to 16 year olds) with a view to launching a national rollout for the 2026/2027 academic year.
In addition, in 2025 the RSA launched its new third-level education initiative, engaging students at 62 campus events and reaching approximately 8,955 young people nationwide. The programme’s mission is to empower 17–24-year-olds to make safer road choices by embedding road safety into everyday student life. In 2026, the RSA will proactively re-engage every third-level campus in Ireland and roll out a new phase of student-led road safety communications. It is intended that the provision of customisable, on-brand toolkits will equip student unions and societies to drive impactful messaging during Freshers' Week, exams, holidays, and key seasonal moments.
In 2025, the RSA also delivered major activations across festivals and large scale events creating significant visibility and public awareness of road safety. This included attendance at events such as Electric Picnic, All Together Now and Kaleidoscope. Through these activations the RSA directly engaged the public by conducting almost 50,000 breath tests, sparking important conversations around drink and drug driving. The RSA is planning on increasing visibility at festivals and major concerts during summer 2026.
Building on the work completed in 2025, this year the RSA will run a number of TV and video-on-demand campaigns to target the 16–25-year-old cohort. The RSA has enhanced its digital activity and youth partnerships to enable them to more effectively reach this cohort and targets specific audiences across a number of mediums, using specific platforms to target specific audiences, such as Snapchat, TikTok and podcasts.
Finally, 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. The next meeting is taking place in February 2026 with new members joining the Committee.
Question No. 798 answered with Question No. 734.
Question No. 799 answered with Question No. 795.
Question No. 800 answered with Question No. 795.
Greenways Provision
Questions (801)
Donna McGettigan
Question:801. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will ring-fence Clare Greenway funding for sections three (Ennistymon and Miltown Malbay) and section four (Miltown Malbay to Moyasta) (details supplied) in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2364/26]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Investment in Greenway and National Roads Active Travel projects is also subject to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and necessary statutory approvals.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.