Five Donegal schools to benefit from new Safe Routes to School

Five schools across Donegal are set to benefit from the latest round of the national Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programme, bringing new safety measures to communities in Kerrykeel, Glenties, Milford, Muff and Bridgend.

Scoil Cholmcille in Kerrykeel, Scoil Mhuire, Glenties, Scoil Mhuire, Milford, Scoil Naomh Bríd, Muff and Scoil Naomh Aonghus in Bridgend have all been included the latest round of grants announced under the programme, which will see 105 additional schools nationwide brought into the scheme, at an estimated cost of €15-20 million.

Inclusion in the programme means a renewed focus on making the daily journey to and from school safer and more attractive for children who walk, wheel or cycle. Work delivered under the Safe Routes to School programme typically include improved footpaths, upgraded pedestrian crossings, traffic-calming measures, clearer signage and the introduction of defined school zones designed to slow traffic at peak times.

For the five schools included in this latest round, the next steps will involve detailed assessments and engagement with Donegal County Council to identify the most appropriate measures for each location.

The latest round of allocations has particular relevance for rural counties such as Donegal, as it again includes schools located on higher-speed roads. These schools will benefit from tailored interventions such as highly visible signage and road markings aimed at alerting motorists that they are approaching a school environment. Similar measures have already been trialled successfully near schools in Donegal, Galway and Roscommon, where recorded speed reductions demonstrated that relatively simple changes can have a meaningful impact on road safety for children.

Read more: Calls for traffic calming measures on Buncrana's Cassie (Causeway) Road

The announcement of these grants was made by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, alongside Ministers of State Seán Canney and Emer Higgins, in partnership with the National Transport Authority.

Since the Safe Routes to School programme was launched in 2021, it has expanded significantly, with 526 schools now actively involved nationwide and around €50 million invested to date. National figures show that schools where works have already been completed are seeing more children walking and cycling to school, alongside a reduction in car use during busy morning and afternoon periods.

The programme is funded by the Department of Transport through the NTA and is coordinated by the Education and Community Action Team at An Taisce. A strong emphasis is placed on engagement with school communities, parents and local authorities, ensuring that each project reflects local needs and gains community support through consultation.

Almost half of the schools currently participating in the programme are now at an advanced stage, with projects either completed, under construction or progressing through final design following public consultation.

The inclusion of five more Donegal schools represents a further investment in road safety, public health and sustainable travel across the county and should give families greater confidence to choose active travel for at least part of the school journey in the years ahead.