Written answers

Tuesday, 3 October 2017

Department of Education and Skills

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if English classes are provided to Syrian refugees residing in accommodation centres under the scope of his Department's resettlement programme; the persons who can attend such classes; the number of hours per week over the number of weeks these classes are provided; if these classes are accompanied by reading or listening materials students can study in their own time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41792/17]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the English language supports provided to refugees resident in emergency reception and orientation centres, EROCs, who have come here under the refugee protection programme; the persons among this cohort of refugees who are eligible for such supports; the number of hours of tuition provided on a weekly basis; the number of weeks that such tuition is provided; the way in which persons are facilitated to study in their own time with reading or listening materials; if each person is tracked by his Department in terms of their progress; and the percentage of uptake among the cohort of refugees in question. [41793/17]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if English classes are provided to Syrian refugees and asylum seekers once they leave accommodation centres and are placed in their resettlement communities; if these classes are provided in a routine manner, for example, if they are provided from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. five days per week; and if there is a cost to these persons for same. [41794/17]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of English language supports provided to refugees who have come here under the refugee protection programme and are now settled in communities; the number of refugees who have come through the programme, moved on from EROCs and are now living in communities; the number of such refugees by education and training board, ETB, area; the amount of tuition hours provided for persons on a weekly basis; the number of weeks that such tuition is made available; the percentage uptake of person to this tuition by ETB area; the monetary costs associated with accessing English language supports provided by ETBs; and if each person is tracked by his Department or local ETB in terms of their progress. [41795/17]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of providing 12 months of English classes and accompanying basic reading and listening materials to each Syrian refugee who enters the resettlement programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41796/17]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost to a local ETB of providing 12 months of English language tuition to refugees who have been resettled under the refugee protection programme; and the costs of materials required. [41797/17]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 142, inclusive, and 195 together.

Individual ETBs provide the following categories of education within the IRPP EROCs:

- A transitional primary school programme is provided on-site in individual EROCs. The programme introduces children and their families to the Irish education system whilst also fostering social and personal development and cultural integration.

- Post primary education, which includes a core programme of English language tuition, is provided off-site in the local post primary school(s).

- Where it is not possible to access post primary provision (often due to the timing of arrival) an appropriate ETB migrant education programme is provided for this age group.

- Provision for all adults is based on developing English language skills and preparation for independent living in Ireland through an English Language and Orientation Programme.

- Classes are delivered in a 12-week cycle with a review of each individual learner at the end of this cycle to determine whether progression to a higher level is appropriate.

- Classes are delivered from 09.20 – 12.30, Monday to Thursday. Where necessary adult class times can be varied to meet local needs (e.g. afternoon and evening classes). Exceptional circumstances of individual learners are dealt with on a case by case basis.

There is no charge for participation in education provision within the EROC’s for any age level.

Evaluation and oversight of education provision in the EROCS, including the resourcing of same, takes place in accordance with ETB policies and procedures and in consultation with the DES.

On relocation from EROC accommodation to their new homes, families are assisted by local Resettlement Interagency Committees which include representatives of ETBs, local schools and Tusla’s EWS who assist with access to mainstream education for all age groups.

Statistics in relation to the overall number of persons participating in the IRPP, including details of arrivals to EROCS and onward relocation to resettlement communities are collated by the IRPP. The statistical and financial information in relation to education provision requested by the Deputy is not available in the format requested.

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