Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness campaigns and for the advancement of education specific to the safe use of roads. I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Last year, my Department published the Phase 2 Action Plan of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021 - 2030 for the period 2025-2027. Action 9 under the Phase 2 plan identifies education as a key measure to address and improve road user behaviour. The RSA are leading this Action, working collaboratively with key stakeholders including An Garda Síochána, Department of Education, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the local authorities.
The Deputy may wish to note that 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. I am informed by the RSA that work is continuing towards designing a refreshed, age-appropriate road safety education programme for primary to third level students which will be delivered as part of this action.
Examples of initiatives include:
• ‘Road Safety Matters’ - a programme developed targeting transition year (TY) students and featuring a simple step-by-step guide to preparing, educating and supporting students to become safe road users. The inaugural National Road Safety Matters Awards were held in April this year recognising the achievements of TY students across the State.
• In 2025 the RSA launched a new third-level education initiative. The programme’s mission is to empower 17–24-year-olds to make safer road choices by embedding road safety into everyday student life.
• 'Be Safe' - a teacher led programme which provides individual lessons for Junior infants to 6th class. Themes include travelling safely by car and public transport, walking, crossing the road safely and recognising dangerous behaviour and safe cycling and scooter use.
