Michael Collins
Ceist:362. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education the status of a remote area grant for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59031/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 30 November 2021
Ceisteanna (362)
Freagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Schemes children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8 kms at post-primary from and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application and payment 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 pupil referred to by the Deputy resides 41.2 km from home to their school of attendance and closest school. A transport application was received for the pupil on 12/04/2021 for the 2021/22 school year and the pupil has been assigned a seat on a service. As the pupil resides 13.7 km from home to their pick up point, the family is eligible for the Remote Area Grant for the school year 2021-22. In this regard, the family will receive communication from School Transport Section early next year with regard to this grant which is paid during the summer months.