Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
213 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Science if the provision of a remote area grant will be fast-tracked for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17194/04]
View answerUnder the remote area grant scheme, provision exists for the payment of grants towards boarding or lodging fees in respect of pupils who satisfy certain eligibility criteria in respect of remoteness from the nearest school providing suitable free second level education. My Department has been in contact with Bus Éireann who has confirmed that as the pupil's residence, in this case, is within 15 miles of Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí, Tralee, the nearest all-Irish medium post-primary school, the pupil concerned does not qualify for a boarding grant under the terms of the remote area grant scheme.
It has been intimated that an exemption be given to the pupil in this case in respect of the remote area grant scheme on the basis that the nearest all-Irish school appears not to be offering the prescribed certified course in two specific subject areas. This is neither a reasonable nor tenable basis to justify granting the exemption in question. In this case, my Department's responsibility to provide an all-Irish medium post-primary education is satisfied through Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí. The extent of curricular diversity at Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí is a matter for the school's management authority.
