Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
311. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the introduction of reduced speed limits on roads adjacent to schools in rural areas; the timeframe the proposed circular might issue to local authorities with options on the introduction of engineering initiatives to engender lower speeds and the introduction of permanent or periodic ‘special speed limits’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3523/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Speed Limit Review 2023 included a recommendation that "the speed limit for roads adjoining schools be set to between 30 km/h and 50 km/h respectively on urban and rural sections of road".
With respect to schools located in urban areas, the Department of Transport issued a Circular to local authorities on 16 October 2025, requesting that they undertake a review of speed limits in urban areas in accordance with updated ‘Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland’. The updated 'Guidelines' recommends that the speed limit on roads adjacent schools in urban areas be set to 30km/h, and that this should be implemented either by way of a permanent 30km/h speed limit or a by way of a periodic speed limit of 30km/h. It is recommended that a permanent speed 30km/h is implemented, if there is significant and regular interaction with vulnerable road users not only during school drop-off and collection times, but also on a regular basis outside of these times. In situations where interaction with vulnerable road users is restricted to school drop-off and collections times, a periodic speed limit of 30km/h should be applied, and a higher speed limit such as 50km/h may be set outside of these times.
Local authorities are requested to implement these speed limit changes by way of special speed limit bye-laws. Accordingly, in respect of those roads in built-up and urban areas that local authorities propose to change the existing speed limits, it will be necessary to undertake a statutory public consultation process, in accordance with the requirements of the Road Traffic Act 2004, as amended. Furthermore, as the making of ‘special speed limit bye-laws’ is a reserved function, the speed limits on such roads can only be changed where a majority of the elected members vote to do so. Local authorities are requested to implement the proposed speed limit changes by 31 March 2027.
With respect to schools located in rural areas, the updated ‘Speed Limit Guidelines’ recommend that a 50km/h speed limit be applied either on a permanent basis or by way of a periodic speed limit.
A working group has been established comprising representative from the local authorities, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Transport Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the Department of Transport, in order to determine the appropriate road layout, infrastructure and signage required to implement 50km/h speed limits on certain rural roads safely. It is expected that this review will be completed in 2026, and thereafter a direction issued to local authorities to commence implementation of 50km/h speed limits on these roads.
