Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
209. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will, in the context of Budget 2027 increase the remote area boarding grant for island children attending secondary school on the mainland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44875/26]
View answerThe purpose of the Remote Area Boarding Grant is to provide 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 0016/2016 (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/remote-area-boarding-grant-scheme/) which is published on the department’s website at - gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/remote-area-boarding-grant-scheme/
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 applicant must be resident 4.8 km or more from a second-level school where suitable free second-level education is available; and be 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 and should provide written confirmation of same.
Students’ resident on offshore islands that do not have a school providing suitable free second-level education may also qualify for assistance under the scheme.
For students 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.
The maximum grant payable under the scheme may not exceed €4,947 per student per school year. The grant is payable after each school term to the school or parent/guardian, whichever is appropriate, subject to verification by the school that the student has been in full-time attendance for the period concerned and a statement of the annual maintenance charge for the boarding or lodging fees, whichever is applicable, is provided.
While not wishing to pre-empt the outcomes of any future Budget negotiations or fiscal parameters agreed by Government, the Department of Education and Youth will keep the policy of the remote area boarding grant under review and seek appropriate increases to the rate as part of the annual estimates process.
