Galway West TD Eamon O'Cuiv has called for a grant system that would allow rural schools to engage private bus companies for school runs.

Deputy O'Cuiv says rural schools should be given grant assistance to use registered rural transport companies to bring children to and from school.

He suggests that Remote Area Grants, currently paid to parents of children living more than two miles from thier school, should instead be pooled together to fund the suggested system.

Currently, at least 10 children are required on a route before the Department of Education is obliged to provide a school transport service.

Deputy O'Cuiv says innovative thinking from the department would provide a boost for small rural schools across the county.