Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. This is a real topical issue at the moment. I want to reiterate the Government's position that the continuing Russian military action against Ukraine is illegal and immoral. As the Government has stated, the priority is a full and comprehensive cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of the Russian military from Ukrainian territory. The Deputy is quite right that the war in Ukraine has caused a humanitarian crisis on a scale we have not seen for many decades in Europe. That will require a whole-of-government approach to supporting the people who arrive here.

There is no logic to Irish people offering this wonderful céad míle fáilte to Ukrainian nationals and their families if we cannot provide the additional supports they require. It is an evolving situation and we do not know how long they will be here. It is commendable that the Irish people have made in excess of 6,000 offers of accommodation. Our schools have a strong tradition of welcoming children of all nationalities and backgrounds and have experience of doing this throughout the school year. Many schools, primary and post primary, have contacted the Department already to express how keen they are to ensure any children arriving in their areas are welcomed into their schools. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, has published a range of resources to support learners with English as an additional language. Further guidance for teachers about these resources will issue to schools shortly.

The Deputy mentioned psychological supports. I think that will be pertinent, particularly around trauma. These children may have seen things as well as the stress of their having to leave their home of origin. Schools are provided with support from psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS. NEPS has developed materials for schools to assist them in supporting children of Ukrainian heritage and others who may be experiencing distress in relation to current events. Temporary crisis measures will be put in place where needed.

It will take a Trojan effort from the education sector which is on the back of coming out Covid. I commend all the teachers - the Deputy is a teacher himself - and all the school staff for the incredible work they have done to date. They will require even more fortitude to look after these children. In my constituency of Dublin Rathdown, I heard only yesterday of twins who have already come from Ukraine and are in school. Schools with capacity to welcome children can do so in the usual way. There will be a helpline for schools and we are putting information online and on social media for parents in relevant languages to support them in accessing schooling for children. My officials have already spoken to the staff unions and management bodies, and work is under way on engaging with other Departments, agencies and stakeholders. We need to see where there are children being accommodated so that we can cater for them in schools in the locality.

There are obviously children in Ireland who are looking for schools but we must also cater for Ukrainians. It is also important to mention there will also be teachers coming from Ukraine. The Teaching Council will work with the Department on expediting registration for those teachers so that they can teach in their mother tongue, as the Deputy mentioned. There will be procedures for those who do not have proof of qualifications so that they can teach here.

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