Increase in number of Ukrainians in Offaly schools since December

The blue and yellow flag of Ukraine flying at the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore

placeholder image — The blue and yellow flag of Ukraine flying at the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore

THERE are 143 Ukrainians enrolled in schools in Offaly, according to the latest figures from the Department of Education.

In Offaly, there are 107 children of Ukrainian origin attending primary school, along with 36 who are in secondary school.

On December 22 last, when the department reported enrolments of children from the country which was invaded by Russia nearly a year ago, the total number in Offaly was 131 – 96 in primary and 35 in post-primary.

The latest statistics are from yesterday, January 31, and they reveal that there are much higher numbers in neighbouring counties.

Westmeath has 257 (178 primary and 79 post-primary) and Laois has 207 (125 in primary and 82 in post-primary).

Nationally, there are 14,482 Ukrainians enrolled in schools, including 9,334 in primary (see details for each county in the table below).

The department says current data indicates an enrolment rate of 92% among Ukrainian children aged between 5 and 18.

Information for parents in Ukrainian and Russian on accessing school places is available on gov.ie/Ukraine

To assist with the transition of Ukrainian students and their families into Irish schools, Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) continue to operate, hosted by the 16 regional education and training boards around Ireland and staffed by regionally-based education support personnel.

The department says these teams are ensuring 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.

The department says it will continue to publish figures on the enrolment of Ukrainian children each month.