Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
259. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure there is adequate accommodation on-site ahead of the school year 2023-24 at a location (details supplied); if she will also ensure that additional classroom and resources are made available to the school to accommodate the large number of children seeking places in the school; and if she will provide an update on the status of the project. [25944/23]
View answerMy Department is currently planning to install modular accommodation for the school on the site to which the Deputy refers. There are also contingency measures being looked into should the interim accommodation not be ready in time. The school being split over two locations is a contingency option, which if happens should be only for a short term solution and my Department will assist the school to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate parents only having to make one school drop off.
My Department is currently looking into all options and will continue to keep the patron and school informed of all developments.
Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) have been established to help ensure good coordination and alignment of supports for Ukrainian and other children seeking international protection 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.
The primary role of the REALT is to build on existing regional education support structures and assist families in securing school places. REALTs also support schools in their area to meet the needs of these children as they emerge, to advise and support my Department 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 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 and those seeking International Protection.
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
