Four Fingal Schools Among 13 Selected Across Dublin for Safe Routes to School Programme

Four Fingal schools are among 13 schools across Dublin selected to join Round 5 of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme as part of a nationwide expansion announced by Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien TD, Minister of State Sean Canney TD and the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Safe Routes to School works with schools and local authorities to make it safer and easier for children and young people to walk, wheel, cycle and scoot to school. Through a combination of infrastructure improvements and behavioural change initiatives, the programme helps create safer school environments, reduce traffic congestion and encourage more sustainable travel.

The four Fingal schools selected for Round 5 are Castleknock Educate Together National School (D15 X094), Hedgestown National School (K45 YP02), Mary Queen of Ireland National School (K67 E718) and Riversdale Community College (D15 P380). Their inclusion forms part of the latest expansion of the programme, which has added 83 schools nationwide and now supports more than 600 schools across Ireland.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tony Murphy, said: ‘’Schools play a central role in community life, and the areas around them should be places where children and families feel safe and welcome. The inclusion of four additional schools across Fingal in the Safe Routes to School programme is an investment in our communities, helping to ensure that school environments continue to meet the needs of students and families while supporting more accessible and sustainable neighbourhoods."

The latest intake brings the total number of schools participating in the programme across Dublin to 118. Since its launch in 2021, Safe Routes to School has become one of Ireland's largest active travel initiatives, supporting schools and local authorities to improve safety and encourage active travel for everyday school journeys.

Director of Services for Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel & Sport at Fingal County Council, David Storey, said: "We are delighted to see four more schools in Fingal included in the Safe Routes to School programme. The scheme encourages active travel and promotes healthy habits from an early age. Children are more likely to walk, wheel or cycle when routes are well designed and accessible, while parents and guardians can have greater confidence in their journey to and from school. These improvements will encourage more families to choose active travel as part of their daily routine."

Funded through the NTA's Active Travel Investment Programme on behalf of the Department of Transport and coordinated by An Taisce, the programme is delivered in partnership with local authorities and has already transformed school environments across the country. Improvements include upgraded footpaths, enhanced pedestrian crossings, colourful road markings and the distinctive pencil-shaped bollards associated with Safe Routes to School projects. 

Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien TD, said: "I am delighted to officially launch the next round of the Safe Routes to School Programme. The inclusion of a further 83 schools in Round 5 means that over 600 schools are 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."

The programme continues to deliver measurable results nationwide. Surveys from schools where infrastructure works have been completed show cycling to school has increased by almost 49%, walking by 8% and scooting by 17.5%, while car use has fallen by more than 10%.

Gayle Byrne, Acting Principal of Pope John Paul II School, Malahide, said: "The improvements delivered through the Safe Routes to School programme have made a significant difference to safety around our school. Parents and staff have noticed calmer traffic conditions at drop-off and pick-up times, helping pupils travel to and from school with greater confidence. The project has been very positively received by our school community."