Through the host family programme, the Lycée Français International – Samuel Beckett welcomes students to Dublin, whose parents do not live in Ireland, and gives them the opportunity to follow the French curriculum and improve their English.

Our role is to offer accommodation to all the guest students.  We act as a link between the host families, the students and their parents.  The host family service does not deal with educational questions.  The communication between the teaching teams and the students’ parents on school matters is ensured by the head teachers.

The programme is only available for a full academic year or more (not for a term).

A host family is sought once your child’s academic file has been accepted by the school.  An offer of a place will be sent to you if the selection commission gives a positive answer (January/February).  If you accept this offer, the coordinator will then get in touch with you once the school fees and administrative costs have been paid. The selection of a host family takes place between 10th May and 10th July.

A contract is sent to both the student’s family and the host family. The contract is agreed and signed between both parties.

The pupils return to their home for all school holidays.  If a student wishes to stay in Ireland, the coordinator will attempt to accommodate this, but there is no guarantee.

The students can develop their independence and discover another culture while benefiting from a family structure.

Living with a host family requires the ability to adapt to a new environment.  The guest students’ guidelines that have to be signed at the start of the year emphasise the necessity of following the rules set by the host family (in consultation with the parents), and the idea that at all times, the students represent their school and their country.  In the contract, the students and their families agree to respect the rules of the host family, and the host families provide a warm, safe environment that encourages the acquisition of the language.

In the event of integration difficulties, the coordinator discusses the issues with the student, the host family and the parents. This step is essential before considering a change of host family.  The service is managed like an ‘external’ boarding service.  Requests by the students or their families are considered but the decision to change is at the discretion of the coordinator and the principal.

We organise a cultural and integration programme at week-ends (one activity per term).  These outings, focussed on Irish culture and entertainment, give the pupils the chance to discover the country.

Host family service coordinator: Valerie Egan

Email address: hostfamily@lfi.ie

Tel (school hours): +353(0)1 288 3152

CPE: Stéphanie Le Boulaire

Email: viescolaire@lfi.ie

Tel (school hours): +353(0)1 288 3150

In case of emergency: +353 (0) 872583504  (evenings and weekends)

The host families are carefully selected on the basis of an individual interview paying particular attention to our students’ conditions of safety and well-being.

Our host families are located in the residential areas of the south Dublin suburbs.  They offer accommodation in a private room.  The families do not take another French-speaking lodger at the same time but most take in pupils/students of other nationalities.

Accommodation is typically in a house rather than an apartment, and average travelling time from the house to the school is 45/50 minutes

The students’ accommodation is full board, including a lunch box for school.

Each year, we welcome students coming from all regions of France, including sometimes the overseas territories, and students from French schools abroad (in particular Spain). We welcome approximately fifty host students every year, who are divided between fourth, fifth and sixth year classes. They are in school together with French students living in Ireland.  

We sometimes take guest students from third year.  However, the number of places available varies each year depending on the number of resident students in this class.  Resident students have priority for enrolment.

The students get a lot of support, both moral and logistical, from the host families coordinator. However, the experience requires a certain level of maturity and independence.

1. Contact the host family coordinator

Valerie Egan – hostfamilies@lfi.ie

2. Home visit

Upon contact with the host family coordinator, a home visit is organised with the family in their home to discuss guidelines and questions abo​ut the programme.  A family profile will be created for our database to include family members, pets, hobbies, room type, etc.  Following a successful evaluation, the garda vetting process will proceed. 

3. Garda vetting requirement

Everyone in the family who is aged 16 or over must be garda vetted.  Once this process has been completed we will contact you when we require student placement. 

Aged 18+:

NVB1 form completed with two forms of proof of identity e.g.  driving license and passport or birth certificate.  See below for further information.

All  copies of proof of identity must be certified as true copies of the originals by the local garda station.  If it is more convenient, you can come to the school during school hours where the ID verification process can occur.

However, each individual member of the family  aged 18+  would need to present themselves at the school for this ID verification process.

Aged 16 but under 18:

NVB3 form (parental consent form) to be completed and signed by the parent/guardian in addition to the NVB1 form.

Note: Parent’s email address and contact number needs to be provided on the NVB3 form.  Proof of identity requirements are less rigorous e.g. a passport will suffice.

Relevant proofs of identity must to be provided (totalling 100 points as below):

80 points – Irish driving license/learner permit (new card format); Irish public services card (with photo).

70 points – Passport (from country of citizenship).

50 points – Irish certificate of naturalisation; birth certification; GNIB card; national identity card (EU/EEA/Swiss).

40 points – Irish driving license (old paper format); public services card/medical card/social services card with photo.

35 points – Employment ID card from employer with name and address; letter from employer within last two years confirming name and address;  P60/P45/payslip (with home address); utility bill (less than 6 months old – not mobile phone bill); bank/building society/Credit Union statement.

25 points – Employment ID card with name only; public services card/social services/medical card without photo.

1. Vetting invitation will be issued by JMB and sent to your email address.
2. Complete the vetting disclosure in a timely manner.
3. Inform school when evetting  on line application is completed.
4. Evetting result is emailed to the school.
5. School will email you with a copy of vetting disclosure.

Host family service fee: €1000/year paid to LFI

Cost of accommodation with host family: €230 weekly 

Direct payment to the host family at the beginning of each month by bank transfer

Host families of grant students are paid at the end of the month

Payment to the host family is due throughout the school year even in the case of absence (for exceptional prolonged absences arrangements must be made with the host family)

No payment during the school holidays, unless the student stays with their family (agreement to be discussed in advance between both parties).

Bus/Tram:

The Leap card is a payment card for all public transport in Dublin. Payment by Leap card is at a reduced rate.

Average cost of travel to school: around €10 a week.

https://www.leapcard.ie

Aircoach :

Aircoach is a shuttle used by all our students for journeys to and from the airport.

Please click on link for information

https://www.aircoach.ie

Some airlines will not allow unaccompanied minors under 16 to fly (for example Ryanair). Others impose certain specific conditions. We suggest  students’ families check the conditions for flying with individual airlines before booking. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that any conditions can be met.

Unaccompanied minors under 16 can travel alone with Aer Lingus. A form of indemnity must be completed (https://www.aerlingus.com/media/pdfs/unaccompanied_minor_form.pdf). This document must be completed and signed at the Aer Lingus check-in desk. 

Some host families offer a service which includes accompanying students to the airport. In this case, it is important to liaise with the host family before making any booking. The fee for accompanying a student is €50 per trip.

In the case of illness, host families should make any appointments they consider necessary.  The host family coordinator is available to offer any assistance needed.

Students must hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (check the expiry date) to cover the full cost of GP visits and some medicines.

Please note that without this card, a medical visit costs between €50 and €60. 

French-speaking doctor:

Dr Conor Maguire
Glencairn Medical Centre
Leopardstown Valley
Ballyogan Road
Dublin 18