Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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353. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if financial supports are available for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56616/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not provide funding to schools for educational trips or visits of this nature.

However, Léargas, the National Agency for the Erasmus+ EU Programme in the area of schools education and youth, has advised of the following that may be useful.

One of the key actions of the Erasmus+ Programme available to schools is Mobility for Pupils and Staff in School Education. Interested organisations can apply for funding for distinct projects lasting between six months and three years, under two sets of deadlines each calendar year. The short-term project mobility strand is generally best suited to schools.

A ‘Mobility’ project is where a school or an organisation in the field of school education sends its pupils or staff to another country to train, learn, go on a teaching assignment, or job-shadow. The school or organisation applies for funding to prepare and manage the project, and for the costs of travel and participation. Additional Erasmus+ funding is available to include those with fewer opportunities.

The deadlines for this school year have passed. However, the next mobility funding deadline for Mobility of Pupils and Staff will be 23 February 2023 for projects that wish to participate between 1 June and 31 December 2023.

There will be an in-person Erasmus+ Information session, specifically aimed at DEIS schools,Erasmus+ Opportunities for DEIS Schools, on the 17^thNovember at 4.30pm which will be hosted by Athlone Education Centre.

Thissession is for those working in primary and post-primary DEIS schools in Ireland and who are interested in learning about funding opportunities under Erasmus+. It will focus on the range of opportunities for pupils and staff in School Education and the inclusion supports available. For further information please contact Jane Carter on jcarter@leargas.ie. Registration link: www.leargas.ie/event/erasmus-opportunities-for-deis-schools/

European Commission

The European Commission in Ireland does not have financial supports to send a group of students to Brussels. However, on arrival in Brussels , the students can avail of the visits service: ec.europa.eu/info/about-european-commission/visit-european-commission/visitors-centre_en.

European Parliament Ambassador School

The European Parliament Ambassador School (EPAS) programmes is a Euopean Parliament initiative to raise awareness of European parliamentary democracy and European citizenship among students and to create an increasing network for schools, teachers and students that are engaged with the European Parliament and its members.It is run by the European Parliament Liaison Office (EPLO) in each Member State. Applications open at the end of August each year for the upcoming school term.

MEPs

MEPs can invite groups to visit the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg every year. Interested schools are invited to contact the MEPs for their constituencies for more information.