Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2024
167. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of expediting all remaining phases of the safe routes to school programme to roll it out in full in 2025. [28883/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra168. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport to provide an annual breakdown of the total amount of funding provided to the safe routes to schools programme. [28884/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
In March 2021, I launched the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme which will support Active Travel infrastructure for selected schools around the country. The programme aims to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools and to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities. This will help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.
The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is supported by the Department of Education. An Taisce’s Green-Schools is co-ordinating the programme, while funding will be made available to local authorities which will play a key part in delivering the infrastructure along access routes and at the school gate.
It should be noted that over 900 schools enrolled in the Programme in 2021, and just under a third are currently actively involved in Rounds 1 and 2. All remaining schools will enter the Programme on a rolling basis over the next few years. Regardless of cost, it is not intended that all schools will be completed by the end of 2025 as neither the NTA, An Taisce nor the various local authorities would have the capacity to expedite the Programme to that extent.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter I have referred the Deputy's questions to them for answer. If you do not received a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
