Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the education services provided for children in the emergency response and orientation centre in Ballaghadereen; if such services involve integrating children in the centre into local schools and with local children; the supports provided when displaced children are enrolled in schools under his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48910/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) my Department has committed to providing an interim education and orientation programme for families accommodated in IRPP Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROCs) established by the Department of Justice and Equality, including the centre opened in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon earlier this year.

My Department has mandated the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector to manage education provision for residents of the EROCs.  In the case of the Ballaghaderreen EROC, Galway Roscommon ETB provides:

- A transitional primary school programme on-site which introduces children and their families to the Irish education system whilst fostering social and personal development and cultural integration;

- A transitional post primary education programme, delivered on-site which includes English language tuition is provided for this age-group.     

These transitional programmes are based around the anticipated resettlement timescale of 3-4 months indicated by the Department of Justice and Equality.  Where families continue to reside in the EROC beyond this period, arrangements can be made, in consultation with Tusla’s Educational Welfare Service, for the transition of school-age children to mainstream education in local schools.  Otherwise these children will begin to attend mainstream school in the location where their family has been resettled.

The objective of my Department is that all children would have access to the mainstream education system at the earliest possible opportunity.  In the case of children resident in EROC accommodation, this objective must take account of both school readiness of children and the availability of school places.  With regard to the latter, it may be noted that the location of EROCs, including the centre in Ballaghaderreen, is determined by the Department of Justice and Equality based on the availability of suitable premises. 

Efforts have been made by GRETB to engage with local schools as appropriate, while overall integration with the local community for families in the EROC is overseen by the local Interagency Committee.

In terms of additional supports for schools, both primary and post-primary schools may avail of additional language supports provided for students who do not speak English as their first language.  English as an Additional Language (EAL) resources are designed to allow individual students to participate in mainstream education on a par with their peers. These and other learning supports are provided on the basis of identified educational need. 

All children who present with special educational needs, including those participating in the IRPP, are assessed by the relevant health and education professionals, and are linked with the relevant education provision most suited to their needs. These supports include learning support, access to special classes in mainstream schools or access, if necessary, to special schools.

Overall education provision to persons in the Irish Refugee Protection Programme is overseen by my Department in collaboration with relevant ETBs and the educational Welfare Service of Tusla.  Provision in individual centres, as well as the overall programme is kept under constant review with the overall objective of ensuring the best possible educational outcomes for participating families.