Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
342. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the significant road-safety risks outside a school (details supplied); and if he will outline what immediate measures are planned to mitigate the risk to children, parents and staff at peak school times. [36665/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra343. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to introducing a reduced speed limit (30km/h or 40km/h) or a school safety zone outside a school (details supplied) given that traffic is currently permitted to travel at speeds of up to 80km/h immediately adjacent to the school gate; and the timeline for any speed limit review in this location. [36666/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from councils' own resources, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
Local authorities are required to implement 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 31st March 2027.
With respect to schools located in rural areas, the ‘Speed Limit Guidelines’ recommended 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 commence in Q3 2026, with implementation to commence in 2027.
