Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the supports that his Department has provided for Ukraine and for Ukrainian people since February 2022, whether in Ukraine or within the State; the number of people supported, where relevant; the estimated cost and value of the support where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8864/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland remains fully committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. The EU is united in condemning in the strongest possible terms Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine. Ireland has consistently supported imposing stronger sanctions on Russia, maintaining a maximalist position since the start of the conflict.

My Department, along with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Central Bank of Ireland are the three National Competent Authorities for EU sanctions. We have worked very closely with the other Competent Authorities, Government Departments and State bodies, since February last to ensure that there is comprehensive and effective implementation of the sanctions in Ireland.

With regard to employment rights, Ukrainian citizens can work legally in Ireland, without having to access the employment permits system, once they have received a letter confirming they have been granted Temporary Protection under the EU directive. They are then entitled to the full range of statutory employment rights and protections in the same manner as Irish workers. The Workplace Relations Commission, the State body responsible for employment rights, has published comprehensive information on employment rights in the Ukrainian language.

The National SME and Entrepreneurship Growth Plan noted that we need to do more to attract a broader range of people to be entrepreneurs in Ireland. One of the best ways Government can make entrepreneurship more inclusive is through entrepreneurship training and, following a review by the OECD, my Department is currently implementing a number of actions to make our programmes more inclusive. A good example of this type of initiative is the recent collaboration between Fingal Local Enterprise Office and the Irish Red Cross on the “U-Start” start-your-own business programme. At a cost of approximately €13,000 the initiative was designed to provide basic information to Ukrainian refugees who would not be familiar with the enterprise support infrastructure in Ireland and would not know how to go about setting up a business here. Many had previously owned their own business in Ukraine, and some wanted to commence trading in Ireland. The Irish Red Cross was able to reach out and recruit participants from across the country including Sligo, Galway and Wexford and over 40 people have now completed the inaugural programme. Funding for this initiative is being provided through Fingal County Council.

Since last autumn, my Department and our agencies have been engaging with the OPW and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as to the feasibility of part of our office accommodation being re-purposed in support of Ireland’s humanitarian response to international protection applicants. We continue to work with the OPW on this process.

My Department also seconded five staff members to work in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in 2022, to assist with managing the response to the crisis.