Minister for Sustainable Transport, Ciarán Cuffe TD opened the Conference on Creating a Walking Zone in Sligo at the Glasshouse Hotel.

Minister for Planning Ciarán Cuffe TD today opened the Irish Architecture Foundation's A Space for Learning exhibition.

The exhibition is a unique collaborative project between architects/architectural graduates and Transition Year students that aims to open up a new discussion on school building design, highlighting issues such as sustainability, light, shape and colour in educational spaces.

A Space for Learning is funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with additional funding from the Department of Education and Skills

The Back To Education Allowance scheme is now open for people on a social welfare payment who wish to return to second or third level education.

Ciarán Cuffe TD, and Minister for Sustainable Transport, today marked National Walk to School Week 2010 by visiting St Brigids Girls National School in Cabinteely.

National Walk to School Week, which runs from Monday 17th to Friday 21st May in Green-Schools across the country, encourages pupils, parents and teachers to walk to school through events such as Walk on Wednesday, Feet First Fridays, sponsored walks and walking fancy dress competitions.

Green Party TD for Dún Laoghaire Ciarán Cuffe said: