Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While this review has been up and running we have, in the interim, introduced some measures. The Deputy specifically referenced the issue of the next-nearest school at post-primary level. That temporary alleviation measure was introduced for the 2021-22 school year and continued for 2022-23.

There is a criterion for eligibility, namely, that students have to live within 3.2 km of their primary school and be attending the nearest school. At post-primary level, the distance is 4.8 km and students must be attending their nearest or next-nearest school. I am conscious of the issue around Kilnaleck the Deputy raised. As she said, school preference there is historical. I acknowledge that this has also been raised with me very specifically. Indeed, Deputy Niamh Smyth tabled a question in respect of it and it has also been raised by other Deputies in the constituency. To be very clear, eligibility criteria are very much part of the review process. We are looking at eligibility in respect of distance, nearest school, next-nearest school and so on.

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