5 schools in Limerick are to join Round 5 of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme, as part of a nationwide expansion announced today by Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien TD, Minister of State Sean Canney TD and the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The addition of these schools brings the total number of Limerick schools participating in the programme to 34, helping to create safer and more attractive conditions for children and families walking, wheeling and cycling to school.
Since its launch in 2021, the Safe Routes to School Programme has become one of Ireland's biggest active travel initiatives, supporting schools and local authorities to improve safety, reduce congestion and encourage more sustainable school travel. The remaining schools that applied to join the programme will continue to be brought in through future rounds as the programme expands nationwide.
The programme is funded through the NTA's Active Travel investment programme on behalf of the Department of Transport and is coordinated by the Safe Routes to School Team at An Taisce. Working in partnership with Limerick City and County Council the programme has already delivered a range of improvements including the distinctive Irish Safe Routes to School design approach, featuring pencil-shaped bollards, colourful road markings, upgraded footpaths and improved pedestrian crossings.
The programme is delivering measurable benefits nationwide. Surveys from schools where infrastructure works have been completed show:
Cycling to school has increased by almost 49%.
Walking has increased by 8%.
Car use has fallen by more than 10%.
Scooting has increased by 17.5%.
These findings reflect the growing demand among families for safe and convenient alternatives to the school run.
Across Limerick city and county, these schemes are helping to create safer routes for students while supporting healthier lifestyles and climate action. The newly announced schools will now begin working with Limerick and County Council and the Safe Routes to School team to identify measures tailored to local needs.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran said:
“I welcome the continued roll-out of the really successful Safe Routes to School programme which is creating safer, more vibrant communities - giving our children a new independence earlier in life and sustainable travel habits that many will carry on with them into adulthood. With continued government support, we will keep investing in infrastructure that makes walking, wheeling, and cycling the natural choice for everyday journeys.”
Priomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, Councillor Tom Ruddle, said:
“Parents across Limerick have long been raising concerns about safety at school gates. These schemes respond directly to those concerns, introducing safety improvements that make walking to school safer and more accessible. The reduction in speeding around the school in Athea is a great result.”
One of the schools already benefiting from the Safe Routes to School Programme is Scoil Mhuire in Murroe:
Anthony Sharkey, Principal of Scoil Mhuire, Murroe said:
"The new infrastructure at Murroe National School has transformed the school approach, making it safer and more accessible for pupils and families. We have noticed an increase in active travel, with more children choosing to walk or cycle to school, and parents have been extremely supportive of the improvements. The benefits extend beyond the school gates, enhancing the experience of the wider community and encouraging healthier, more sustainable travel habits."
Director of Services for Transportation and Mobility, Patricia Liddy, said:
“We welcome the inclusion of five additional Limerick schools in the Safe Routes to School Programme. The Council will work with each school, the National Transport Authority and the Safe Routes to School team to identify and develop measures suited to the needs of the individual school and surrounding area. This builds on the programme already under way across Limerick city and county.”
The List of Limerick schools joining Round 5 are
Castleconnell NS Primary V94XA43
Gaelscoil Ó Doghair Primary V42PD71
Monagea NS Primary V42VW74
Salesian Primary School Primary V94RR99
Scoil Iosaf Primary V42T18
Programme Delivery in Limerick to date:
14 school zones completed
7 at preconstruction design stage
2 at preliminary design
2 at options development, following completion of school surveys
Funding is available to local authorities to deliver Safe Routes to School infrastructure through the NTA’s Active Travel Allocation from the Department of Transport. Safe Routes to School projects typically have a median cost of €380,000, although costs vary depending on the scale of works undertaken by local authorities.
Costs and timelines for project delivery depend on factors such as required interventions, public consultation, planning consent, construction scheduling and annual local authority budgets.
Round 5 schools were selected using the same criteria as previous rounds, ensuring a mix of school types (primary and secondary) and locations (urban, suburban and rural). Selection also considered socio-economic diversity (DEIS and non-DEIS schools), demonstrated commitment to sustainable travel (e.g., Walk on Wednesday, Cycle Bus, Park and Stride, audits), proximity to other schools and alignment with active travel or safety schemes planned by local authorities.
In addition to the Safe Routes to School Programme, a further 554 schools nationally have directly benefited from other active travel infrastructure delivered under the Active Travel programme up to the end of 2025.
Lifecycle of a Safe Routes to School video WATCH HERE