Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In terms of engagement in the workforce, we have a number of programmes and we are actively engaging with Ukrainians who are available to work. There are 83,000 who remain in Ireland and the average number of temporary protection applicants per week in 2024 is higher than the 2023 level. There are currently some 17,000 in employment and we continue to engage and work with them to give them opportunities to take up employment. I would encourage them to do that. The Deputy is correct that about one third of the 83,000 are working and there is a high percentage of pensioners here, as well as one-parent families, who obviously cannot go out to work due to child caring responsibilities.

We do engage with them. As the Deputy has discussed with me, we allow them to go onto the CE schemes to try to overcome some of the barriers, the main one being language. We are hoping they will continue to take up those offers. We are doing everything we can to try to get them into the workforce. Many of them are making a strong contribution. Ukrainians are working in my own Department and contributing very positively to its work.