Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
707. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if a matter regarding Ukrainian pupils at a school (details supplied) will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38758/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, in the context of the current situation in Ukraine, and Ireland’s humanitarian response to the crisis in taking in refugees, the Government has adopted a whole of government approach to supporting the people who seek refuge here. This includes ensuring access to education for school-aged children and providing supports both to their families and schools. The Department will continue to advance its work on issues relating to support for people arriving into Ireland from Ukraine as the situation develops. Further advice and guidelines can be found at gov.ie - Information for schools – Ukraine (www.gov.ie)
As previously outlined, the new Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support schools over the period committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
My Department intends to issue the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023/2024 school year. This funding can be used by schools to support the needs of Ukrainian children arriving in Ireland through access to digital technology infrastructure. This can include loaning devices to Ukrainian children in the school if needed, as well as providing appropriate software, apps, and tools to support their learning.
The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation. As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
Additionally the NCCA has published a range of resources to support learners with English as an additional language (EAL) across Early Childhood, Primary and Post-Primary. These materials aim to support teachers and early childhood practitioners to nurture the language development of EAL learners: ncca.ie/en/
Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) continue to support the needs of children from Ukraine arriving in Ireland. These teams are hosted by the 16 regional Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and staffed by existing regionally-based education support personnel working closely together to ensure good coordination and alignment of supports for children from Ukraine.
Finally, my Department continues to support our schools, with a 40% increase in grant funding in Budget 2023 to cover increased running costs and as part of the Cost of Living measures introduced in Budget 23, €90 million in once-off additional funding to support increased running costs for recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme.
