Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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190. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had discussions with the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Reception and Integration Agency regarding the need for additional spaces, teachers and educational resources in respect of the proposed direct provision centres in County Donegal; his plans to ensure the education needs of the residents will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50198/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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My Department engages on an ongoing basis with officials in the Department of Justice & Equality in relation to education issues arising from the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees and resources are provided where necessary. My Department has seconded an official to the Department of Justice and Equality to support the arrangement of education provision for children residing in centres under contract to the Department of Justice and Equality. This arrangement facilitates close liaison with relevant areas of my Department in relation to education provision.

Arising from the enrolment of pupils in local schools from the proposed direct provision centre, additional resources can be provided where the need is identified in accordance with the relevant circulars.

The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on my Department’s website. The staffing arrangements as set out in Department of Education Circular 0010/2018 available on my Department’s website operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. Resources are provided on the basis of identified need. The staffing arrangements include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an Independent Appeals Board.