Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 597: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to maintain all existing second level schools where at all possible and carry out an assessment to ensure the most suitable educational services for islands without a secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28669/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the Programme for Government, it is my Department's policy that, where possible, education should be provided on islands for both primary and post-primary pupils. In all, there are 13 primary schools on the offshore islands with a total enrolment of 270 pupils. There are 4 post-primary schools and one unit attached to a mainland school on the offshore islands, with an enrolment of almost 170 pupils. Where it is not feasible to provide a post-primary school on an island, island families are eligible for financial assistance under the Remote Area Boarding Grant Scheme to facilitate a child's attendance at school on the mainland. Under the Scheme, grants are paid towards the cost of boarding in or near second level boarding schools in the Free Education Scheme for pupils whose homes are outside the range of public transport services to a day school providing suitable post primary education. This Scheme provides for the payment of grants up to €4,725 in each case towards the cost of boarding or lodgings. The maximum grant per pupil was increased from €4,500 to €4,725 for the school year 2007/08 in accordance with the cost of living index. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring that all persons living on our offshore islands have access to quality education.