Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 12 June 2024, if she will review the application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27688/24]

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 - www.gov.ie/en/circular/14bf3da700a54567a821513272945bd1/.

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”.

The case referred to by the Deputy was examined by Bus Éireann who operate the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department. Bus Éireann provided the incorrect nearest school details which was a primary school. Officials in my Department resubmitted the request for a revised report based on the correct school details of the post primary school. The revised report containing the correct post primary school details has been received. The confirmation from Bus Éireann confirms that the distance from home to the nearest second level school providing instruction through Irish is 20.2km which is under the distance criteria of 25km as outlined in the above circular. The pupil’s parents will shortly be informed of the decision.

The applicant may be eligible for the Remote Area Grant. Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest national school having regard to ethos and language.

At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 km from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the 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 prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. This grant 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.

The grant amount is distance related and 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.