Thirteen schools in Dublin have been selected to join Round 5 of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme, following a nationwide announcement by Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien TD, Minister of State Seán Canney TD and the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Their inclusion brings the number of participating schools in the capital to 118, advancing efforts to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more appealing for pupils and families. Launched in 2021, SRTS is among Ireland's largest active travel initiatives, working with schools and local authorities to improve safety, cut congestion and promote more sustainable school travel. Schools that applied but were not selected in this round will continue to be considered as the programme scales up nationally.

The initiative is financed through the NTA's Active Travel investment on behalf of the Department of Transport and coordinated by the SRTS team at An Taisce. Working in partnership with Waterford City and County Council, it has delivered a distinctive Irish SRTS design—pencil-shaped bollards, colourful road markings, upgraded footpaths and safer pedestrian crossings.

Survey results from schools where works are complete show measurable gains: cycling is up by almost 49%, walking up 8%, scooting up 17.5%, while car use has fallen by more than 10%.

These trends indicate strong demand for safe, convenient alternatives to the school run. Across Dublin city and county, the schemes are shaping safer routes for students while supporting healthier lifestyles and climate action. Newly selected schools will now collaborate with Dublin local authorities and the SRTS team to map measures tailored to local conditions.

Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, said: "The key to encouraging more children to walk, wheel and cycle to school is ensuring that they can do so safely. The Safe Routes to School Programme has already delivered physical improvements like cycle paths, permeability links and School Streets to almost 200 schools, helping to create safer and more attractive routes for children and their families. I look forward to seeing the projects at the 83 additional schools announced today come to fruition in the years ahead." Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney said: "The key to encouraging more children to walk, wheel and cycle to school is ensuring that they can do so safely. The Safe Routes to School Programme has already delivered physical improvements like cycle paths, permeability links and School Streets to almost 200 schools, helping to create safer and more attractive routes for children and their families. I look forward to seeing the projects at the 83 additional schools announced today come to fruition in the years ahead."

Anne Shaw, CEO, National Transport Authority, said: "The continued expansion of the Safe Routes to School Programme in Dublin is helping to transform the daily journey to school for children, families and communities across Ireland. By creating safer, more accessible and more welcoming streets around schools, we are making it easier for children to walk, wheel and cycle while giving parents greater confidence in how their children travel. The positive changes we are seeing go far beyond the school gate, helping to build healthier habits, reduce traffic congestion and create stronger, more connected communities. With over 600 schools now participating, the programme is making a meaningful difference in towns, villages and cities nationwide, and we look forward to supporting even more school communities in the years ahead."

Thomas Connell, Programme Manager, Safe Routes to Schools, said: "The strength of the Safe Routes to School Programme relies on direct collaboration between An Taisce, the National Transport Authority, local authorities, and participating schools nationwide. As we welcome a new group of schools into Round 5, we continue working alongside those currently progressing through delivery phases and celebrate the schools that have already completed their journey with us. Together with our delivery partners, we remain focused on supporting every participating school to make active travel a safe and practical daily choice."

Gabrielle Malone, Administrative Officer, Sustainable Mobility, Dublin City Council, said: "Dublin City Council is delighted to see more schools across the city joining the Safe Routes to School Programme. This very popular scheme provides a valuable opportunity for schools, local communities and local authorities to work together to create safer, more accessible environments for children travelling to and from school. By encouraging more students to walk, wheel and cycle, we are helping to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion around school gates and support healthier, more independent travel habits for our young people. We look forward to working closely with the newly selected schools and our partners to deliver lasting benefits for children, families and local communities across Dublin."