Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

290. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide information on the remote area grant including procedure for application and basis on which eligibility is assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27102/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.

The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs.

Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Children who are eligible for school transport and applied on time for the next school year, but for whom no service is available, may be offered the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The Remote Area Grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point. Bus Éireann will forward the details of these pupils to the Department, who will contact families directly, nearing the end of the school year, regarding the Remote Area Grant.

The closing date for applying for school transport for the 2025/26 school year was Friday 25 April 2025. There is no separate application process for the Remote Area Grant.

The Remote Area Grant is paid at the end of the school year; it is paid at a fixed rate based on the distance an eligible child resides from home to school, and on the number of days an eligible child attends school.

Further information on the Remote Area Grant can be found at: