Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

25. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the special language supports in Irish and English that are being given to children from Ukraine who are attending Gaeltacht schools that are part of the implementation of the Polasaí Oideachas Gaeltachta; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34170/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to thank the Deputy for his question.

As of 17 June 2022, a total of 150 Ukrainian pupils were enrolled in Gaeltacht schools in Ireland. 113 were enrolled at primary level and 37at post-primary level. These were enrolled in a total of 22 primary-level schools and 9 post-primary-level schools. 

Guidance was issued to Gaeltacht schools by my Department at the end of April on welcoming students from Ukraine. The guidance advised that, in responding to the needs of these students, schools should be guided by what would be best for the students themselves and most appropriate for their needs. It highlighted that many teachers in Gaeltacht schools will have a particular skillset to draw on in terms of teaching children in a language that is not their first language.

The guidance issued advised Gaeltacht schools that they could apply for additional language support hours for Ukrainian students. This is in addition to those supports available to Gaeltacht schools under the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme. These hours could be used to support whatever language needs the individual students had. An additional 1,340 language support hours were allocated to Gaeltacht primary schools and 199 hours were allocated to post-primary schools for the 2021-22 school year since February 2022.

COGG (An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta) have developed Irish-language versions of resources for Ukrainian students and have contacted Irish-medium schools, including those in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme, where Ukrainian children are enrolled, to make them aware of these resources. Gaeltacht schools have also been provided with an additional 312.5 hours under Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Information in relation to the status and operation of Irish-medium schools and Gaeltacht schools which was suitable for parents and for young people, was provided for inclusion in packs being given to families arriving from Ukraine. The information was available in English, Ukrainian and Russian and was also published on the section of the gov.ie website containing information for people arriving from Ukraine.