Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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152. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures that are in place to support highly-skilled Ukrainian refugees in accessing the Irish job market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24961/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is working alongside other relevant departments in supporting access to the labour market and employment for those arriving from Ukraine, under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive.

Intreo employment services are assisting those arriving from Ukraine as they seek employment in Intreo Offices and through jobsireland.ie. A dedicated section on www.jobsireland.ie has been developed providing information on employment supports and opportunities and a frequently asked questions page for newly arrived Ukrainians. This information is available in both Ukrainian and Russian and includes video tutorials on CV and interview preparation, and how to register and apply for vacancies on JobsIreland.

Ukrainians seeking employment can access the service directly, to upload details of their skills and experience for matching with available employment opportunities. The resources and job opportunities available are also promoted through social media in Ukrainian and Russian. Employers across all sectors who wish to support Ukrainians through provision of employment opportunities, are requested to register on www.jobsireland.ie to advertise vacancies. This will enable Intreo Employment Services Officers to match the skills of those seeking employment with available work opportunities.

Additionally, since the middle of April, Intreo Employment Services are arranging employment support events specifically for Ukrainians - across all skills levels. These events are being arranged on an outreach basis in, or close to, current accommodation hubs and by inviting Ukrainians to Intreo centres to receive these services.

At these events, details of Ukrainians proficiency in English, their qualifications, employment history and employment preference are provided to assist with job matching. Those attending are also assisted on site to find employment through exploring employment opportunities – via jobsireland.ie and with ‘jobs walls’ advertising local vacancies. Assistance is also provided to ensure that Ukrainians are on the correct income support payment, be it jobseeker's allowance or another payment more appropriate to their personal circumstances.

To date Intreo Employment Services staff have engaged with well over 5,000 Ukrainians at these employment support events. Of those, many have high levels of education and professional qualifications, and have a broad range of work experience.

Where a Ukrainian wishes to practice a regulated profession in Ireland they must also engage with the relevant professional authority in respect of the recognition of qualifications. Information on relevant professional bodies are provided at the Intreo employment support events, and those who wish to seek employment with the HSE are directed towards a link to a HSE jobs portal from jobsireland.ie.

My Department will continue to work with Ukrainians to support them find employment while they are in this country.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.