185. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the measures in place or being put in place to address deaths on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21042/26]

The current national framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and a great deal of work is currently underway to deliver on the targets set out in this Strategy.

I published the Phase 2 Road Safety Action Plan in July 2025. This phase of the Road Safety Strategy identifies 12 primary actions that are transformative in nature, and which are themed across the overarching, internationally recognised safe systems approach. These 12 actions are supported by a suite of a further 77 support actions which are also being implemented in partnership with road safety stakeholders.

Some of the key actions in the Phase 2 Action Plan include:

• Expanding network safety analysis of the road network to identify high-risk locations, guide investment decisions and prioritise safety interventions including for the local road network.

• Expanding the use of Safety Cameras

• Continued implementation of the 2023 Speed limit review.

• Reviewing and overhauling our learning to drive curriculum

We are progressing a significant legislative programme. The National Vehicle and Driver File Bill is targeted for enactment by the summer and will, among other measures, restore direct collision data sharing with local authorities. The next Road Traffic Bill is also under development to advance Programme for Government commitments around graduated speeding penalties and the camera enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences.

We have implemented in full Phase 1 of the Speed Limit Review reducing the default speed limit on rural local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h. Phase 2 in relation to reducing speed limits from 50km/h to 30km/h in urban/built up areas is now underway. The introduction of 30km/h speed limits where appropriate will contribute to a safer urban environment for all road users.

The increased deployment of safety cameras in the coming years is a key action to be delivered under Action 6 of the Phase 2 Action Plan. A first National Safety Camera Strategy has been developed and I expect to publish it shortly. This Strategy will provide the framework for increased deployment of cameras across the network, in both urban and rural locations, to assist with the enforcement of a wide range of road traffic offences. The Strategy will focus on speeding, red light running, and bus lane infringements, with flexibility for the enforcement of other types of offence in future.

In the coming weeks, we will also be introducing regulations to fully ban scramblers from use in public places and enhance Garda powers of seizure. These regulations are being made in memory of Grace Lynch and the scrambler ban will be known as Grace’s Law.

Protecting vulnerable road users is a key priority. Safe and Healthy Modes of Travel is one of the seven Safe Systems pillars that underpin the Strategy, and Primary Action 1 of the current Action Plan will see the National Transport Authority invest significantly in improved infrastructure for pedestrians and other active travellers in the coming years. Supporting this action, Budget 2026 has made €360m available for such investment over the next year.

This year we are investing over €1.5billion in our roads. In addition through schemes like the Low-Cost Safety Improvement Scheme under which €14m in funding is available to local authorities for 2026 and the Reactive Road Safety Programme my Department and TII are supporting local authorities to address identified road safety issues across the roads network.

There has been a significant increase in spending on public awareness, communications and education campaigns by the RSA. In 2026 the RSA has again ringfenced funding of €18 million for awareness, education and promotional campaigns. This will ensure a continued focus on campaigns that make our roads safer for all road users, including and especially vulnerable road users.