The Minister for Education has told an Oireachtas committee that more than 900 schools are receiving language support for Ukrainian students.
Norma Foley insisted that she is "confident that we can meet the challenges" of the arrival of large number of Ukrainian students and ensure that "every child has access to a place".
Minister Foley said that 724 primary and 194 post-primary schools are now getting EAL (English as an Additional Language) teaching resources.
She told the Joint Committee on Education that 4,000 Ukrainian children have enrolled in primary and 1,900 in post-primary schools in this country, adding that "the next set of figures" will show another increase to more than 6,000 enrollments.
The committee is considering the education and supports provision for displaced Ukrainian students.
"We do have a very clear understanding where we have capacity in our schools", Ms Foley said, noting that "families are continuing to come", and that "enrollments will continue over the summer."
The department has identified 25,000 spare places at primary and 20,000 at post-primary level, she told Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan.
Labour TD Aodhán Ó Riordáin criticised the provision to reserve school places for children and grandchildren of past-pupils, saying that it discriminates against Ukrainian children.
Ms Foley insisted that Government is "meeting the needs" of those students and affording them "every possible opportunity", including to use Ukrainian educational resources.
"The important thing here is that every child has access to a place", she said, but added that she is gathering data on how that admissions policy is having an impact more generally.
Josepha Madigan, Minister of State at the Department of Education, said that those "students with very complex needs are being supported in countries close to Ukraine."
At the moment, "only about seven or eight" Ukrainian children are "in a special class or a special school" in Ireland, she said, noting that the number might rise.
She told Independent Senator Eileen Flynn that the National Council for Special Education "has translated 56 different documents to help".
Ms Foley acknowledged that there is a "significant challenge" around accommodating Ukrainian children and enrolling them in the same area.
"It would be very helpful if we could match accommodation with our capacity", she said, adding that she is working with the Department of Children to this end.
The department liaises with 16 Regional Educational Language teams "to ensure all necessary supports for the Ukrainian children are provided as quickly as possible", Ms Foley said.
She told Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan that they had provided "invaluable" support in finding school places, especially when there is none available in the area in which the children are accommodated.
Ms Foley added: "We have reached out to those [Ukrainians] who have teaching qualifications and teaching backgrounds, and have asked them to register with the Teaching Council".
However, she added that "the numbers are small at this point", at fewer than 50.
Ms Foley said that the summer education programme - aimed at pupils at risk of educational disadvantage and those with complex needs - will also focus on the language needs of Ukrainian children.
This year's programme was launched last month with funding of €40m.
Ms Madigan said that for Ukrainian children, "it's a real opportunity for them to integrate", and to engage in "arts-based and wellness" activities.
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris told the committee that there is "every support" for Ukrainians who want to have their qualifications recognised, noting that this decision lies with the relevant regulatory body.
