Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to providing every support possible for Ukrainian citizens who are seeking the recognition of their qualifications in Ireland.                                       

NARIC Ireland, a service hosted by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) can be readily provide advice, free of charge, on the academic recognition of foreign qualification. This service compares foreign qualifications to major award types and levels on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) which sets these foreign qualifications clearly into an Irish context.  QQI’s NARIC database currently lists 18 Ukrainian qualifications, comparable to levels 3-10 on the NFQ, which includes general professional, further and higher education qualifications. NARIC Ireland is working with the NARIC network across Europe to continue building the list of Ukrainian qualifications as a matter of  priority. The service provided by NARIC Ireland helps to inform employers to determine if an applicant holds the academic qualifications necessary for a particular job or employment opportunity.

Furthermore, a guide to NARIC has recently been translated into Ukrainian and other languages which are spoken by Ukrainians.

SOLAS operates the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process for tradespeople, as well as Recognition of Qualifications on relevant construction safety certification. In relation to Ukrainian applicants specifically, Ukrainian interpreters are being used as required, to enable individuals to access services so that they can have their qualifications recognised and engage in courses. Separately, SOLAS has scheduled the first of two Ukrainian Safe Pass programmes. As with the general approach already noted, the services of an approved Ukrainian interpreter are being used to assist with the delivery. Whilst presently, the RPL and RPQ systems are working as designed SOLAS will increase its monitoring of applications and any issues arising. In this approach, SOLAS is operating in line with QQI guidance.

Where a profession is unregulated, there is no formal barrier to prevent someone from continuing to practice their profession in Ireland. However, where a profession is regulated, an individual wishing to continue to practice their profession in Ireland must engage with the relevant Irish competent authority or professional regulator in order to seek the recognition of their qualifications. I would urge any Ukrainian citizen who wishes to practice a regulated profession in Ireland, to engage with the relevant Competent Authority with responsibility for that profession to seek the recognition of their professional qualifications. A list of all of the regulated professions in Ireland, their corresponding competent authority and the relevant contact information for each authority is available on the Department’s website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/123679/f3dc868b-f95a-42fe-87b3-531983e3bd1f.pdf#page=null.

My Department has been providing support to the work of our national Competent Authorities by sharing best practice material supplied by the European Commission in relation to the recognition of Ukrainian professional qualifications. In addition, these Competent Authorities have been advised of further information resources which are available to support their work from NARIC Ireland. My Department will continue its work with the European Commission and other Member States in relation to the recognition of professional qualifications of Ukrainian people to ensure an EU-wide appropriate response.