Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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932. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the instructions that she has given to patron bodies of primary and secondary schools in relation to the taking in of Ukrainian refugees into schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20761/22]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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934. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received any communication from patron bodies or individual schools in relation to issues of school places for refugees from Ukraine; if so, if any concerns were raised; the type of concerns that were raised; the way that she has responded to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20763/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 932 and 934 together.

My Department continues to welcome all students arriving in Ireland. We are working with all relevant authorities, education partners and school communities to ensure Ukrainian children of school-going age, who are beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection Directive, are provided with access to appropriate supports to allow them to continue their education in Ireland.

Guidance has issued to schools on supporting students from Ukraine that enquire about enrolling. Where children of school-going age have arrived already and want to access the school system right away, schools that have capacity locally will welcome those children in the usual way.

All relevant information in relation to my Department’s approach and the supports in place is available on gov.ie and is updated as appropriate.

In addition, my Department has established a designated helpline and email address and is addressing any queries directly with schools.

Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) have been established to help ensure good coordination and alignment of supports for Ukrainian children arriving in Ireland. These Education and Language Teams are hosted by the 16 regional education and training boards (ETBs) and are staffed by existing regionally-based education support personnel working closely together to ensure good coordination and alignment of supports for Ukrainian children. The Department is liaising with the teams to ensure all necessary supports for the Ukrainian children are provided as quickly as possible.

The primary role of the REALT is to build on existing regional education support structures and the initial focus will be on assisting families in securing school places. REALT will also support schools in the area to meet the needs of these children as they emerge, to advise and support the Department of Education in developing new capacity where required, and to co-ordinate the provision of education services to schools and families across their defined area.

These teams will ensure that clear, accessible information flows are in place between schools, local education support services and national support structures in relation to people arriving from Ukraine.

Contact information for REALT teams can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/48639-information-for-schools-ukraine/#regional-education-and-language-teams-realt

My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders, provide updated guidance and address any issues or concerns as they emerge.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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933. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of meetings that she has had with her departmental officials to discuss access to schools for Ukrainian refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20762/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is working with the whole education sector, including aegis bodies and education partners in regard to access to education for school-aged children and providing supports both to their families and schools. I have met with my officials on a number of ocassions in the last number of weeks, and I continue to meet with my officials on a regular basis on this matter. I am also in direct contact with officials as issues arise.

My Department is:

- Supporting schools in their immediate responses to children and young people from Ukraine, particularly through the establishment of Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT).

- Providing additional EAL supports.

- Providing resources for teachers and schools to help them welcome and support the wellbeing of pupils from Ukraine in their classrooms.

- Identifing specific current capacity within schools to address immediate needs.

- Identifing and addressing the potential medium and longer term implications in relation to school capacity.

I will continue to meet regularly with my officials to discuss my Department's response to the situation and the education needs of those arriving from Ukraine.