Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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273. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his Department will consider providing targeted employment and training supports for women who have left abusive relationships while residing in IPAS, recognising the role of economic independence in breaking cycles of coercive control. [60680/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to ensuring access to the labour market and Intreo employment services for eligible applicants, including women who have left abusive relationships. Employment supports and access to the labour market are available to International Protection (IP) applicants and those granted protection (refugee status or subsidiary protection). In compliance with the EU Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU), IP applicants who have not been granted protection can apply to Immigration Services Delivery for permission to work in the state if they have not received a first instance decision on their application after 5 months. This permission becomes valid after 6 months, and is renewable every 12 months. Once protection is granted, individuals have a right to live and work in Ireland on the same basis as Irish citizens.

My Department's Employment Services, delivered through Intreo, are available to International Protection Applicants with permission to work on a voluntary basis. Those with a labour market permission wishing to avail of an employment support service can contact their local Intreo Centre. An Employment Personal Advisor/Job Coach will engage with them to identify and address any specific potential barriers to employment, such as literacy and numeracy, health, and English language proficiency. Where appropriate, customers may be referred to suitable education, training or development opportunities. Intreo’s Employment Services works closely with education and training boards to facilitate access to relevant training supports, including English language training.

Intreo Employment Services staff engage systematically with those who have been granted International Protection and who are in receipt of a jobseeker's payment.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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274. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if specific guidance and training will be issued to Intreo offices on the circumstances of women in IPAS who may require urgent supports due to domestic and sexual violence, including safeguards to ensure perpetrators cannot control access to welfare payments. [60681/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Staff in customer facing roles, including Intreo Office and Community Welfare Service teams, receive comprehensive training and guidance in customer service. In addition my Department has a dedicated Safeguarding Unit which acts on reports of alleged abuse of all social welfare recipients aged 18 and over. The Safeguarding Unit is promoted within my Department to ensure that all staff are aware of the advice and support that is available to them.

The Safeguarding Unit follows up on all reports of abuse received from staff across my Department, including Intreos, and they liaise with the relevant agencies and scheme areas as appropriate to ensure proper and timely assistance is given to the customer.

My officials are very conscious that financial support is extremely important in such circumstances. The Safeguarding Unit also plays an advisory role in relation to the safeguarding of customers' payments.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.