Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
126. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the traffic calming and speed limit standards that apply at and near schools; if he intends to prepare or update these standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44956/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of traffic calming or other safety measures, when deemed necessary, is the responsibility of local authorities. Speed limits at urban and rural schools are set by the respective local authority in accordance with the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland 2015.
As part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 The Speed Limit Review Group was established “to examine and review the framework for the setting of speed limits. As part of this review there will be a specific consideration of the introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in urban areas”.
This review group brought together representatives from my Department, the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and the City and County Management Association.
In September 2023, this review group published its report, which set out a number of principal recommendations concerning the reduction of some speed limits.
Following on from the implementation of the review group's revised guidelines, published in 2025, and the implementation of revised speed limit bye-laws, speed limits at rural and urban schools will be set in accordance with the revised guidance.
For schools in rural areas, the ‘Speed Limit Guidelines’ recommends that a 50km/h speed limit be applied, either permanently or periodically.
For schools in urban areas, the ‘Speed Limit Guidelines’ recommends that a 30km/h speed limit be applied, either permanently or periodically.
In accordance with the Road Traffic Act 2004, as amended, local authorities are required to implement speed limit changes by way of special speed limit bye-laws. For those roads in built-up and urban areas, where local authorities propose to change the existing speed limits, it will be necessary to undertake a statutory process of public consultation.
This process is ongoing, with local authorities revising their speed limit bye-laws and implementation expected to to be completed by the end of Q1 2027.
