Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Members who contributed to the Order of Business today.

Senator Malcolm Byrne acknowledged the work of some primary schools in his own county of Wexford - Kilrane National School near Rosslare Europort and Bunscoil Loreto in Gorey - which have taken in a considerable number of Ukrainian students, and more than maybe other schools across the country. The Senator acknowledged the work they have done, in particular Bunscoil Loreto, which celebrated Europe Day by singing "Ode to Joy" in six languages. It is a remarkable achievement for the school and I offer my congratulations to them. It has put significant pressure on our school community, with nearly 15,000 new students in the country. I commend the teachers, the students and those school communities on doing their best to make those children feel welcome and to look after them. It is very important. I hear the Senator's call to introduce Ukrainian as a language at second level. It is an interesting suggestion, and certainly one for the Department to consider. It might be worth a Commencement matter as it is quite a specific request.

Senator McDowell raised the Garda Reserve, prison overcrowding, the impact of the housing crisis and the influx of refugees into tourist accommodation. A request has gone to the Department of Justice for a debate on the Garda Reserve and prison overcrowding and we are waiting. There will be a change of Minister in the coming weeks and it will depend on the Department getting a date from them as to which Minister we will get.