*Pictured at Government Buildings are Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien TD, Jerry Buttimer TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Seán Canney TD, Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports,Finola O’Driscoll, Senior Programme Manager, Active Travel, NTA,Joe Seymour, Assistant Director, Transport Planning and Investment, NTA, Thomas Connell, Manager, Safe Routes to School Programme and school children Danni Gilmore (10) and Kyle Gerie (11) from Sylane National School Tuam Co.Galway and Gourika Anand (11) and Anna O’Connor (11) from St.Colmcilles Girls National School Swords. || Credit: Julien Behal
SCARIFF Community College and Scoil Mhuire Náisiúnta in Corofin have been included in the latest round of Ireland’s Safe Routes to School Programme.
The two Clare schools are among 83 schools joining Round 5 of the programme, bringing the total number of participating schools nationally to 609.
The programme aims to make journeys to school safer and more attractive for children and families walking, wheeling and cycling.
Measures can include School Zone pencil-shaped bollards, colourful road markings, upgraded footpaths and improved pedestrian crossings.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said the inclusion of a further 83 schools meant more than 600 were now actively participating in the programme.
“Safe Routes to School is delivering real benefits for communities by enabling more children to walk, wheel and cycle to school safely, reducing traffic congestion and helping to create healthier, more sustainable communities for future generations,” he said.
Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe welcomed the inclusion of the two schools.
“I am delighted to see Scariff Community College and Scoil Mhuire Naisiunta are being brought into this important programme,” Mr Crowe said.
“Seventeen Clare schools have already seen the benefits of this programme, which provides the safety measures necessary to make walking, wheeling and cycling a realistic and safe choice for students and their families.”
Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney also welcomed the inclusion of the two Clare schools, saying the programme would help create safer routes for students walking and cycling to school.
“Encouraging more children to walk and cycle to school depends on having safe routes in place,” Mr Cooney said.
Mr Crowe said schools surveyed as part of the programme had reported an increase of almost 50 per cent in cycling to school, alongside an increase in walking and a decrease in car use.
“By creating a safer environment at the school gate, we are not just keeping our children safe; we are also encouraging lifelong habits of physical activity and helping to reduce congestion in our towns and villages,” he said.
Mr Crowe also praised the school communities, parents and Clare County Council for their engagement with the NTA and An Taisce.
He said the projects would help ensure local students of all abilities had access to safe and sustainable transport to and from school.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
