Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that a shortfall due to a family (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53659/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within the prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements.

This grant is payable annually at a fixed daily rate, to each eligible family, regardless of the number of children from the same family, travelling to a particular school.

The family in question has received a payment covering the years 2001 to 2010. My Department is currently liaising with Bus Éireann regarding the payment of additional arrears and will contact the family in due course.