Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 February 2025
186. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking ensure that children are provided with stability in their education, following the termination of a private contract to house Ukrainian families (details supplied); the measures in place to deal with such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5346/25]
View answerOffers of and amendments to accommodation arrangements for all Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection is in the remit of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). When the DCEDIY confirm that relocations of Ukrainian families to other accommodation centres are necessary, my Department works with DCEDIY to minimise the disruption to any children attending school especially those with Special Educational Needs or in their Leaving Certificate year. My Department will continue to work with government colleagues regarding accommodation of Ukrainian families for the future.
My Department’s priority is to ensure integration and inclusion for all pupils seeking international protection and BOTP status in addition to ensuring full utilisation of existing school capacity.
Regional Education and Language Teams, or REALTs, were established as part of my Department’s response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the war in Ukraine to assist Ukrainian families, among other things, in securing school places. These teams continue to operate and will assist families impacted by relocations in securing school places when necessary. The primary role of the REALT is to build on existing regional education support structures and co-ordinate the provision of education services to schools and families across their defined areas.
Information in relation to the Government and Department’s approach and the supports in place is available online at gov.ie.
