Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
616. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any provision for putting in place a database of language skills of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14511/22]
View answer617. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any provision for putting in place a database of educational attainment and job skills of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14512/22]
View answer618. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered putting in place a national database that will enable Ukrainian refugees to register their employment skills to enable easier integration into the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14518/22]
View answer619. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection the processes that are in place to identify the skills sets of Ukrainian refugees and to assess the best way to deploy those skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14519/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 616, 617, 618 and 619 together.
As the Deputy is aware, under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, all persons fleeing the war in Ukrainian have been granted the rights of EU citizens, including right to access income supports, employment supports and the right to work in this country.
This Department is a central element of the Government’s response to provide emergency support to meet the immediate needs of those fleeing the invasion of Ukraine. In addition to the support centre established in Dublin Airport, three new city centre hubs to support Ukrainian nationals who have fled the Russian invasion have been established by the Government. The “Ukraine support centres” in Dublin, Cork and Limerick are assisting Ukrainians in obtaining PPS numbers, availing of social welfare income supports, and receiving referrals to other State services. We have also extended the opening hours of some of our Intreo Centres to provide access to PPS Numbers and income supports to people fleeing from Ukraine. To Sunday 20th March more than 7,300 PPS numbers have been issued and income support approved for over 5,000 people include adult dependents and children.
The allocation of PPSNs is the Department’s immediate focus so those affected by the invasion can avail of public services and access vital social welfare income supports.
It is also important that Ukrainains coming to Ireland are provided with assistance and advice to find suitable employment.
My Department will provide these employment supports through its public employment service in Intreo Offices and through jobsireland.ie. This will include jobsearch advice, referral to jobs or education and training courses, including language supports, as appropriate. As part of this employment support process my Department will capture all information relevant to support jobsearch and training, working with relevant partner agencies such as SOLAS, Education and Training Boards and the Department of Further and Higher Education Research, Innovation and Science.
A dedicated space is being developed on jobsireland.ie to provide information to the newly arrived Ukrainians. A "Frequently Asked Questions" is being developed which will be published on www.jobireland.ie and be available for those who attend Intreo Offices. It will be available in the English, Ukrainian and Russian languages; content will be added as new information becomes available. This will be disseminated and promoted widely including through social media, at our Ukraine Support Hubs and at accommodation centres.
It should be remembered that many of those newly arrived in the country are traumatised and, while some have a good level of English, many others have little or no English. Some may be more immediately work ready that others - some will require retraining and reskilling or time to organise childcare or school arrangements for children. Employment supports provided to Ukrainians will match individual's qualification and skills, including language skills, with suitable employment opportunities.
I am aware that some employers have signalled interest in employing Ukrainians which I very much welcome. Employers who wish to support Ukrainians by providing work opportunities should register on www.jobsireland.ie; this enables the Department’s Employment Services Officers to match the skills of those seeking employment with available work opportunities.
I trust this clarifies matters at this time.
