I greatly appreciate the support of school communities in Donegal and across the country in welcoming children from Ukraine and those in the international protection process. Schools have demonstrated a strong commitment to providing warm and inclusive environments, playing a central role in supporting these pupils’ integration. My department will continue to support schools in responding effectively to the needs of children and young people from Ukraine and those in the International Protection process.
Additional resources are allocated to schools enrolling pupils from Ukraine and those in the International Protection process, including enhanced provision for English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Special Education Teacher (SET) support. All newly arrived students requiring English language assistance are eligible for two years of EAL support, with provision for a third year where necessary. EAL allocations are kept under review and may be adjusted, where appropriate, in response to changes in enrolment of newly arrived pupils.
Schools enrolling 10 or more pupils from Ukraine or in the International Protection process may apply for additional SET resources. Where enrolment reaches 15 or more such pupils, schools may also apply for additional Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, up to a maximum of 25 teaching hours per week and up to three SNAs on a temporary basis. These additional supports are reviewed on a termly basis to ensure flexibility and responsiveness to need.
The Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme is one of the key supports in the DEIS programme and is delivered by Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) on behalf of my Department. It seeks to promote partnership between parents, teachers and community family support services, with a view to supporting improved attendance, participation and retention.
As part of the DEIS Strategy to 2035, the department is reviewing the current DEIS framework, with a view to refining how disadvantage is measured and how schools are supported. This process takes account of a range of evidence and stakeholder feedback to ensure that schools serving significant levels of need are appropriately recognised in the updated model and supports a more responsive approach to resource allocation.
Over the lifetime of the strategy, the refinement of the DEIS model will consider how emerging or evolving patterns of disadvantage can be better addressed and how the system can best respond to schools that face increasing levels of need. This will support a more flexible approach to resource allocation, ensuring that supports remain responsive to need and are directed where they are most required.
Responsibility for the provision of education to adults rests primarily with my colleague, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. A range of community organisations across Ireland also provide integration supports and English language classes to immigrants at local level. These organisations are supported through funding provided by my colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
