Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Bringing 100,000 Ukrainian people to Ireland and helping them start new lives is not an easy task for any government. It is much tougher, of course, for the refugees and it is the responsibility of the Government to remove unnecessary obstacles they may face. What steps will the Government take to ensure their qualifications are recognised and they can work here at a level for which they are qualified? What steps will it take to ensure their social insurance contributions can be taken into account here, given the difficulties that will invariably exist in accessing details? The Minister might comment on housing arrangements. Clearly, the market playbook is not going to work in that regard. Last but not least, Migrant Rights Centre Ireland constantly highlight examples of unscrupulous employers who exploit workers precisely because they are vulnerable. Workers who do not speak English are particularly vulnerable. In-person English classes for all refugees are needed, which is something the State does not even provide currently. Does the Minister agree and if so, what steps will he take to achieve it?

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