The second round of funding under the Safe Routes to School Programme is set to support various projects, including five additional Fingal schools.

Alongside the NTA, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD announced the new funding, which will benefit more than 100 schools across the country, five of which are in Fingal. These schools will join a list of nine others in Fingal who received round 1 funding in 2021 and where work is underway and, in some cases, already complete. Safe Routes to School initiatives are also being delivered through Fingal strategic infrastructure projects in the vicinity of schools and are being promoted through the planning process. 

The Safe Routes to School programme was launched to address to road safety concerns in the vicinity of primary and post-primary schools in Ireland. Making access on foot, by bike or by scooter safer for children helps families to choose Active Travel. Fingal County Council is committed to making necessary improvements and installing infrastructure to support Active Travel, making it first choice for local journeys under 5km.

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Welcoming the announcement, Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Howard Mahony said: "Fingal County Council has made significant progress on Safe Routes to School this year and I am very pleased to hear that we have 5 more schools to benefit in 2023. Every child deserves to travel safely to and from school each day and this funding will go towards tailored schemes designed for each schools unique requirements, making them safer for everyone in the community."

The five Fingal schools announced for round 2 of Safe Routes to School are:

• Holy Family Junior National School, Swords

• Scoil Bhríde Buachaillí, Blanchardstown

• Scoil Bhríde Cailliní, Blanchardstown

• Helen's Senior National School, Portmarnock

• Colmchille's Girls National School, Swords.

Director for Environment, Climate Action and Active Travel, David Storey added: "Kids love to travel by bike or to walk to school. Their teachers tell us they arrive alert and engaged and that this benefits their learning outcomes as a result. We also know that where fewer cars linger at the school gate the environment is safer and more pleasant for everyone in the community and so we are delighted to see the announcement today and look forward to working with these schools to improve road safety for their pupils and staff."