Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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383. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken by her Department in conjunction with the NCCA to actively assist and accommodate Ukrainian post primary pupils in schools; if consideration has been given to develop Ukrainian as a non-curricular language for those students moving into senior cycle next September; if the advice of the NCCA have been canvassed on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11179/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Meeting the educational needs of children and young people from Ukraine is a priority for the Government, and my Department is determined to support the efforts of school communities across the country, who have shown huge commitment and generosity. Regional Education and Language Teams (REALTs) have been established to support the needs of 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 State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations. The SEC provides examinations in a range of subjects in the language area referred to as the non-curricular EU languages. These are languages which do not appear as part of the normal school curriculum but in which students may opt to be examined if they meet certain criteria. The examination model is based on that of the First Foreign Language final written examination of the European Baccalaureate, and is offered at Higher Level only. Ukrainian as a non-curricular language is being developed by the SEC, with the aim that the first examination will be available for students sitting the Leaving Certificate in June 2025.