Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25708/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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: gov.ie - .

Under the terms of the scheme, a second-level school is a school which is recognised by the Department for the purpose of providing the prescribed certificate courses, which enters its students for the State examinations and is subject to inspection by the Department.

As per the circular above, the pupil “must be resident 4.8 km or more from a second-level school where suitable free second-level education is available and more than 3.2 km from a pick-up point on a transport service to such a school; and must be unable to obtain a place in a suitable second-level school within 25 km of his/her normal place of residence & should provide written confirmation of same”.

Pupils resident on off shore islands that do not have a school providing suitable free second level education may also qualify for assistance under the scheme.

For pupils requiring an Irish medium education the outlined criteria will be applied to the nearest second level school providing instruction through Irish.

The curriculum choices provided by a school (including the provision or otherwise of transition year) within 25 km of the applicant’s normal place of residence will not be a factor in the determination of eligibility for the award of a grant.

In relation to the family in question, an application was received for the pupil and this was assessed by the Department. Bus Éireann confirmed that the distance from home to the nearest second level school providing instruction through Irish was 20.2km which is under the distance criteria of 25km as outlined above. This distance was disputed by the parent and the Department sought confirmation from Bus Éireann, confirmation was received that the distance is 20.2km and the Department will liaise with the family directly in this regard.