Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which school place requirements and ancillary facilities in Kill, County Kildare, may require an update in services given the need to accommodate refugees there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31944/23]
View answerUtilisation of each school’s existing capacity in the most flexible way possible will continue to be key to supporting all children seeking international protection who are being enrolled in our schools.
Information available to my Department indicates that there is good school capacity within a reasonable distance from Kill in County Kildare to facilitate those being accommodated in the area.
Schools continue to be supported through the REALTs to work collaboratively to use each school’s existing capacity in the most flexible way possible. Additionally, my Department is working to identify further solutions if required to ensure that provision is in place if necessary in areas where capacity is currently limited.
Officials of both my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth continue to liaise closely, seeking to ensure as much as possible the alignment of accommodation placement of families with known school capacity.
My Department’s priority is to ensure integration and inclusion for all pupils seeking international protection in addition to ensuring full utilisation of existing school capacity.
