Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
259. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the measures under active travel which will be considered for the village of Ballycanew, County Wexford, particularly to enhance school safety. [52907/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question in relation to wider Active Travel measures in Ballycanew to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
In relation to school safety specifically, the Safe Routes To School Programme was launched by my Department 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.
This should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school, with improvements to the school commute ranging from an upgraded footpath or new cycle lane to a complete reworking of a school’s entrance.
931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. The nature of the SRTS programme is that all schools who initially applied will eventually enter the programme on a rolling basis and there will be no need to reapply. Schools are processed in tranches – there have been three rounds to date.
It is my understanding that Ballycanew NS have registered for the SRTS programme and while not selected in the opening three rounds, will be selected in forthcoming rounds.
