International Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021

Tuesday, 28 September 2021

Questions (535)

Michael Creed

Question:

535. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when persons seeking international protection will be sent to a direct provision centre (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the critical importance of schools in the integration of these children in local communities; if his attention has been further drawn to the 30 September 2021 deadline for schools which determines staff enrolment for the subsequent academic year and the difficulty which a significant influx of additional students after this deadline can cause; the arrangements which he can secure with the Department of Education to facilitate greater flexibility around the 30 September 2021 deadline in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46576/21]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I recognise that schools form an integral part of integration into the community for school-aged children residing in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) within my Department. However, the location of IPAS accommodation provided to newly arrived families seeking international protection is both demand-led and subject to the availability of suitable accommodation across the entire IPAS accommodation network.

Newly arrived International Protection applicants have to be accommodated by IPAS throughout the school year. IPAS has a full-time official seconded Tusla Education Support Services whose role is to work with local educational welfare officers and residents to ensure that all school-aged children receive a suitable school place.

With regard to staffing levels in schools, I understand that the Department of Education has an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. I'm further advised that the staffing arrangements for primary and post primary schools for the 2021/22 school year, as set out in Circular 0019/2021 (primary) and Circulars 0005/2021, 0006/2021 and 0007/2021 (post primary) - available on the Department of Education’s website - provide details on the staffing appeal process.

Finally, I should also add that the centre specifically mentioned by the Deputy is in fact an emergency accommodation centre opened at a time when capacity had been exhausted across the IPAS network of accommodation centres. I am committed to ending the use of emergency accommodation as soon as possible.