Why Anastasia’s 80km Kerry school trip costs her €1,200

A RUSSIAN girl who must take a 80km round trip to school every day because her local school is all-Irish is being forced to pay €1,200 a year for the school bus.

Johnny Ferriter, stepfather of Anastasia Lyamina, said it is unfair that somebody seeking an education through English must pay the full amount, but a person whose child wants to be taught entirely through Irish is entitled to free school transport if they live more than 5km from the school.

The situation has arisen as a result of the amalgamation of Anastasia’s old school in Dingle, Meánscoil na Toirbhirte where she was able to learn most subjects through English, with the local Christian Brothers school. The 15-year-old and her mother Tatiana arrived here in 2005 and the family lives in Annascaul, about 8km from Dingle.