Ms Meg Ryan:

I welcome the comment on the schools being over-subscribed. As I mentioned earlier, something that I am finding with the Ukrainians the Irish Red Cross is supporting, is that a number of students have no access to a school in their area. Parents have contacted upwards of 15 schools looking for places. Certain years, in particular first year, are completely over-subscribed and the waiting list is prioritised for Irish students with legacies or other situations. We must have a system that would allow access to secondary education for children, in particular for first year and fifth year. Children entering into fifth year are trying to think of their future careers and to continue the momentum and the goals they would have had in Ukraine. We must ensure that access is being provided to the Irish education system and that it becomes more robust to allow them to access schools.

On the Deputy's question on the likelihood of getting access to additional support in cases where a need has been identified, it very much depends on the area in which the child has been placed. The caseworkers for the Irish Red Cross are trying to gain access to additional supports for a number of children. It is very much dependent on where the child is placed and the level of advocating that is possible. When another organisation, such as Enable Ireland, is included, sometimes it can create a pathway. However, the likelihood is not a guarantee.