Safety upgrades approved for two Laois primary schools

Works were approved for Knock National School and The Swan National School

Published 8th Oct 2026, 12:30 GMT Updated 9th Oct 2026, 12:30 GMT The recently completed works at Wolfhill National School. Photo: Laois County Council. Works were approved for Knock National School and The Swan National School Two Laos schools will soon have safety measures installed on adjoining roads to encourage children to walk and cycle to school.

The latest round of schools to join the Safe Routes to School Programme were announced by the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, and the National Transport Authority on Thursday, October 8.

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A further 83 schools across the country have been approved for the programme, including Knock National School and The Swan National School in Laois.

This will bring the total number of participating schools to 609, meaning almost two-thirds of the 932 schools that originally applied are now being actively supported in creating safer and more attractive conditions for children and families walking, wheeling and cycling to school.

Works were recently completed at Wolfhill National School as part of the Safe Routes to School Programme. A new school zone was created at Wolfhill NS, as well as new footpaths, pencil bollards, and a bus parking bay.

Laois town to get new heritage trail to boost tourism Welcoming the news for Knock National School and The Swan National School, Laois TD Willie Aird said: “I am delighted to see that Knock NS and the Swan NS have now been added to this programme. This is an essential scheme that helps more children to walk and cycle to school safely, reducing traffic congestion and helping to create healthier school communities.

“If we want to encourage more children to take a more active route to school, we need to ensure it is safe. In many communities the scheme has helped create safer routes with changes like improvements to footpaths.”

Deputy Aird added: “I look forward to seeing the progress schools across Laois make to encourage even more children to walk and cycle to school.”

The remaining schools that applied to join the Programme will continue to be brought forward through future rounds, as the pipeline of projects progresses nationwide.