Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I provided a graphic image earlier, and will provide a final graphic image to conclude. When things are planned properly, Ukrainian refugees are welcome in our country. Refugees from anywhere are welcome in our country but we need to plan, engage and co-ordinate with stakeholders. Where that has been done successfully, we have proper classrooms and planning. When that did not happen successfully, which is not the fault of the Minister or Department, or communication was lacking, children were taught in a cloakroom.

If people want to keep others in the dark because they want to plan things without needing to talk to those in government, Departments or stakeholders and instead take a blinkered approach, we end up with kids being taught in cloakrooms. When we plan effectively, school principals and communities are on board and there are proper classrooms where children's needs are met. I say that as a teacher.

There has to be dialogue. We cannot ignore stakeholders. I thank the Department for what it is doing to properly co-ordinate this through its regional education and language teams and through the Minister. Communication is key at all times.