Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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291. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the grants available to families who wish to educate their children in Irish but do not have a Gaelscoil in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19081/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. In this regard children who reside 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest Gaelscoil are eligible for school transport. Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes including to Gaelscoileanna. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.

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 (RAG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements. The RAG is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2 kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point. Families seeking school transport to Gaelscoileanna should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding their eligibility for school transport and the availability of services.