Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

259. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 20 September 2022, the reason that the issue of applying for a remote grant lies with Bus Éireann, rather than with her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47004/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme is to give students who are disadvantaged because of their remoteness from schools, an opportunity to attend school on the same basis as students not so disadvantaged.

The terms of this scheme are set out in Circular 16/2016 which is published on my Department’s website at www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0016_2016.pdf.

As set out in this circular, these grants are payable in respect of pupils whose normal place of residence is outside the range of public transport services to a school providing suitable free second-level education. Therefore, the advice of Bus Éireann, who operate the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, is required in order to determine eligibility for the scheme.