Latest news with #SafeRoutestoSchoolProgramme
The Journal
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Journal
Give €10,000 to lower-income families to buy electric cars, climate council urges government
THE CLIMATE CHANGE Advisory Council has urged the Government to introduce a targeted grant of up to €10,000 to help lower-income households buy smaller, more efficient electric vehicles. This recommendation was part of the Council's new Transport Review, which warned that Ireland was falling far short of its emissions targets in the transport sector. Transport remained the country's largest energy user and one of the toughest sectors to decarbonise. Last year, emissions in this area dropped by a modest 1.3%. To reduce reliance on fossil fuels and boost the use of electric vehicles, the Council has suggested a grant of up to €10,000 for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) priced under €35,000. This support would focus on lower income households, particularly in areas with limited access to public transport. The Council also stressed the urgent need to speed up the rollout of public electric vehicle charging stations, which they said is particularly important for households without off-street parking. Advertisement Along with grants and charging stations, they called for investment to strengthen the electricity grid to handle rising demand from homes and commercial vehicles. So far this year, 12,392 new electric cars have been registered in Ireland, a 23.3% increase compared to the same period last year. The Council highlighted the emerging 'vehicle-to-everything' charging technology, which could allow electric cars to supply power back to homes during outages. This innovation could be especially valuable in rural areas. 'Urgent and decisive action must now be taken by Government to end our reliance on fossil fuels and deliver the kind of transformative change that is required in this sector,' said Council Chair Marie Donnelly. She added that any support must prioritise affordability and fairness if Ireland is to meet its climate goals. The Council also pointed to the need to reduce car dependency for school journeys. According to the Council review, only 18% of students used the School Transport Scheme, which offers free transport to children living more than 3.2km from their primary school or 4.8km from their secondary school. To encourage more walking and cycling, the Council also called for a wider rollout of the Safe Routes to School Programme. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
CCAC recommends extra €10k in grants over purchase of EVs
The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) is recommending that the Government provides an additional €10,000 in grants to low income households for the purchase of electric vehicles, particularly in areas with limited access to public transport. It is also calling for scrappage schemes and other transport-related incentives to help accelerate the switch to battery-electric vehicles and decarbonise private transport. The transport sector already accounts for 43% of all energy used in Ireland. However, the sale of highly efficient battery electric vehicles fell by 24% last year, while greenhouse gas emissions reductions from public transport and more efficient cars were effectively wiped out because of the growth in demand for transport. The CCAC is alarmed by these trends, especially since a 50% reduction in transport emissions must be delivered by 2030. Its annual review of the transport sector calls for urgent Government intervention to support sustained emissions reductions and more to be done to encourage people to switch to public transport. It notes that 773,000 primary and post-primary pupils do not have access to the School Transport Scheme; that 50% of students travel to their place of education by car; and that almost one in five car journeys nationwide are for the purpose of education. The council says it strongly supports expanding eligibility for the heavily subsidised school bus scheme as well as greater integration of school transport and public transport services. It is also calling for an expansion of the Safe Routes to School Programme to support the required shift in the sector. According to its report, the total stock of Battery Electric Vehicles on Irish roads at the end of last year was 72,640. This is just 3.05% of the total passenger car fleet. The Climate Change Advisory Council wants existing incentives for electric vehicles to be maintained and enhanced but says the EV grant system needs to be refocused. Its call is for increased supports for purchasing more efficient and cheaper electric vehicles, including second-hand EVs. However, it says those additional supports should be focused on areas with the poorest access to public transport services and Just Transition Principles. Additional grants of up to €10,000 for fully electric vehicles costing less than €35,000 for lower income households will be key, it says. It is also calling for an accelerated roll-out of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure alongside the ambitious roll-out of electricity network reinforcement. At the end of last year there were 2,802 publicly accessible "slower" AC charging points and 786 fast DC charging points for electric vehicles. This equates to seven charging points per 10,000 people in Ireland, which is considerably below the EU-27 average of 20 charging points per 10,000 people, or the average of 13 per 10,000 people in the UK. Over €294 million was allocated in funding for active travel infrastructure this year, bringing the total investment since 2020 to over €1.25 billion. In terms of mode share, cycling increased slightly from 1.8% of journeys in 2022 to 1.9% in 2023. Meanwhile, walking declined from 19.3% of trips to 17.7% overall. Commenting on the launch of the Transport Review, Marie Donnelly, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council said: "Transport is Ireland's biggest source of energy demand, and emissions from the sector must reduce by half if the sector is meet its target. "To achieve this, urgent and decisive action must now be taken by Government to end our reliance on fossil fuels and deliver the kind of transformative change that is required in this sector. "We have seen signs of progress in public transport with more than half of the redesigned BusConnects network in Dublin implemented, a 48% increase in passenger boardings on redesigned routes, and a significant growth in the number of EV and hybrid buses on our roads. "However much more must be done to improve the integration of school transport with public transport services, which will be vital in helping to reduce car journeys and tackle emissions."
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Wheelie great! start to the school day for Bike Week at Scoil Aonghusa
The highlight of the day was an early morning group cycle to school, where students set off from Our Lady of Lourdes Car Park and pedalled their way to the school gates at Sunday's Gate, Moneymore. On arrival, the young cyclists were greeted with some well-earned goodies at the finish line, including bottles, armbands and saddle covers, to reward their efforts. Over the past year, the area around Scoil Aonghusa has undergone a significant transformation, involving a comprehensive package of safety and accessibility upgrades. Safety works included the removal of outdated road signage and pedestrian guardrails, the installation of a raised table and 'School Street' outside the school gates, and the addition of safe pedestrian crossing points. New warning signage, traffic-calming crossing zones, high-friction surfacing to improve traction, and demountable pencil bollards to help delineate pedestrian areas were also installed. As a result of these improvements, the area to the front of the school has been significantly transformed into a safer and more welcoming space for students, parents, and other road users. Local councillors praised the initiative for its impact. "It's great to see students from around the county out on their bikes, especially during Bike Week,' said Cllr Kevin Callan, Cathoirleach of Louth County Council. 'The Safe Routes to School Programme not only ensures safer passage for our students but also encourages a culture of walking and cycling and the work that has been carried out at Scoil Aonghusa in Drogheda, and St Louis Secondary School in Dundalk, is a positive step forward for the county in terms of promoting safety and sustainability." Cllr Paddy McQuillan, Mayor of Drogheda, added: "The Safe Routes to School Programme is a brilliant example of how small changes can make a big difference, and you can really see that at Scoil Aonghusa. 'The front of the school is not just safer, it's a livelier, more welcoming space. It used to be a bit of a bottleneck with cars everywhere, but now you've got kids walking and cycling to school, and it's great to see.' David Hanratty, Acting Director of Services, Louth County Council, said: 'The Safe Routes to School Programme is a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration between local authorities, the National Transport Authority, An Taisce, and the Department of Transport, and, by working together, we're not only improving safety around schools but also supporting healthier, more active lifestyles.' The enhancements delivered at Scoil Aonghusa are among several projects underway across the county as part of Louth County Council's broader commitment to Active Travel and sustainable, child-friendly infrastructure.
Irish Independent
22-04-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Clogherhead school set for safer future with new road plan
As part of the works planned at Callystown NS, new and upgraded footpaths and cycleways will be installed. The project will also include the introduction of safer pedestrian crossings, improved road markings and signage, and the addition of traffic signals, bollards and ramps at key locations throughout the area. The upgrades will be implemented within the current road and footpath layout to ensure minimal disruption and environmental impact. Welcoming the development, Cllr Declan Power, Drogheda Rural, said the improvements are the result of long-standing advocacy. 'As a resident and local Councillor for the area, I warmly welcome this development for the community of Clogherhead. I've been advocating for these road safety measures for several years, and I'm delighted to see them moving forward combined with the Safe Routes to School Programme.' He emphasised the importance of the school to the community and the necessity of ensuring safe access for students and families. 'Callystown National School is at the heart of village life, and ensuring our children can travel safely to and from school—and nearby amenities like the local playground—must always be a top priority,' said Cllr Power. He added that these upgrades would contribute to overall traffic calming, improve visibility, and create safer conditions not just for children bur also for older residents and those with limited mobility. 'These upgrades will help calm traffic, improve visibility, and make our roads safer for everyone, including older residents and those with limited mobility. It's a sensible, well-balanced project that enhances safety without altering the character of the area. I fully support these works and will continue to advocate for similar initiatives across the Drogheda and the Drogheda Rural district,' said Cllr Power. The works will also complement upcoming safety measures already planned for Chapel Road, including a raised pedestrian crossing and a traffic-calming ramp. In addition, Cllr Power noted he is actively seeking the installation of street lighting near the local playground to further improve safety in the area. Callystown NS is not the only school set to benefit, with Louth County Council confirming that Bellurgan NS in Dundalk and St Mary's NS in Knockbridge receiving similar road safety upgrades this year as part of the Safe Routes to School programme. Public consultation on the proposed works is now open. Residents and members of the public are invited to review the drawings and project details and provide feedback from Tuesday, April 22 to Tuesday, May 6. Documents are available for inspection at the Louth County Council Offices in the Millennium Centre, Dundalk, and at the Civic Offices on Fair Street, Drogheda. Information is also available online at Written submissions or observations must be clearly marked 'Section 38 Safe Routes to School – [School Name]'
