Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
303. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is working with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the relevant agencies to provide opportunities to match refugees from the Ukraine with employment opportunities; if her Department is considering running jobs fair-type events across the country with local agencies for that purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25495/22]
View answerI can confirm that my department is working alongside the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE) and other relevant agencies in supporting access toemployment for those arriving from Ukraine, under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive.
DETE officers are liaising with staff from my employer relations team to advise them of job opportunities for Ukrainian workers that employers have informed them of. Once notified, the employers are advised to publish their available positions on the JobsIreland website so that job-matching can take place. 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. These events are being arranged on an outreach basis in, or close to, current accommodation hubs and by inviting Ukrainians to Intreo centers 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. To date Intreo Employment Services staff have engaged with well over 5,500 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.
My Department will continue to work with DETE and other agencies to assist Ukrainians find employment while they are in this country.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
