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Employment, childcare and education
From Department of the Taoiseach
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Once you receive your permission letter confirming that you have been granted Temporary Protection under the EU Directive, you are entitled to seek employment or self-employment and vocational training education activities in Ireland.
We offer a range of supports through gov.ie/therightcourse.
We offer a range of employment supports through Intreo.
Intreo is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports and services.
You can find more information at www.gov.ie/intreo.
JobsIreland is a website which connects anyone who is looking for employment with employers who are advertising vacancies.
Find out more at JobsIreland.ie.
Ukrainian citizens can work legally in Ireland once they have received their letter confirming they have been granted Temporary Protection under the EU Directive. They are then also entitled to the full range of statutory employment rights and protections in the same manner as Irish workers.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the State body responsible for employment rights. Information on employment rights is available at workplacerelations.ie or by contacting the WRC at 0818 808090 or 059 9178900.
If you are taking up employment or setting up a business and want to understand a little more about what to do and how the tax system works in Ireland you can get more information on the Revenue website.
Supports are in place to assist Ukrainians who are seeking the recognition of their qualifications in Ireland.
The academic and professional recognition of qualifications can enable Ukrainians based in Ireland to pursue employment opportunities, to practice their professions of choice, or to avail of new educational opportunities.
Advice on the academic recognition of foreign qualifications can be obtained through NARIC Ireland, a free service hosted and operated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
QQI is the state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland’s further and higher education system.
This service compares foreign qualifications to major award types and levels on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), which sets foreign qualifications clearly into an Irish context. QQI’s NARIC database lists a number of Ukrainian qualifications including general professional, further education, and higher education qualifications. If a qualification is not currently listed, a request can be made to NARIC Ireland who will provide this information if possible. NARIC Ireland is working with the wider NARIC network across Europe to expand the list of Ukrainian qualifications currently available.
A guide to NARIC has been translated into Ukrainian and has also been made available in a wide range of other languages.
If a profession is regulated in Ireland, the recognition of foreign qualifications must be completed by the relevant national competent authority with responsibility for that profession. This is a key step before a qualification holder may practice that profession. Examples of such professions in Ireland include Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, Electrical Contractors and Architects.
A person seeking to practice a regulated profession is advised to engage with the relevant competent authority with responsibility for that profession in order to familiarise themselves with the regulatory requirements in Ireland and to apply for the recognition of their qualifications.
A list of regulated professions in Ireland alongside the contact information for each competent authority is available on the government’s website: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d7527-professional-qualifications-recognition/#contacts
The Early Childhood Care and Education programme provides 2 years of free pre-school to children. The Early Childhood Care and Education programme is known as ECCE. ECCE is provided for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, from September to June. ECCE is provided by over 4,000 providers throughout the country. The State pays the full cost of ECCE to the providers an parents do not have to pay fees.
Children must be aged at least 2 years and 8 months in the September of the start of the ECCE term. Children must be no older than 5 years and 6 months by the end of the ECCE term in June.
You can contact a local ECCE provider to see if they have a place for your child, or you can contact your local County Childcare Committee who can help you to find a place. You can find information on your local County Childcare Committee on www.myccc.ie.
Childcare in Ireland is provided for children aged from 6 months to 15 years. Childcare is provided by:
- centre-based childcare services
- childminders who look after children in the childminder's own home, or
- childminders, au-pairs or nannies who work in the child’s home
The State provides help with childcare fees through the National Childcare Scheme, the NCS. The NCS pays all or part of the cost of childcare. The NCS is available to registered childcare providers only, which includes all centre-based childcare services and some childminders who work in their own homes.
If you have been granted Temporary Protection, the NCS can cover the full cost of childcare under NCS sponsorship arrangements. Your local County Childcare Committee on www.myccc.ie can direct to the appropriate NCS sponsor.
More information on the NCS can be found on www.ncs.gov.ie.
You can contact a local childcare provider to see if they have a place for your child, or you can contact your local County Childcare Committee who can help you to find a place. You can find information on your local County Childcare Committee on www.myccc.ie.
Руководство для родителей по уходу за детьми в Ирландии
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Керівництво для батьків по догляду за дітьми в Ірландії
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Підтримка дітей з обмеженими можливостями в доступі до дошкільного виховання та освіти
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Поддержка детей с ограниченными возможностями в доступе к дошкольному воспитанию и образованию
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Supports for children with disabilities to access early childhood care and education
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Національна Батьківська Рада Інформаційна довідкова лін
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Национальный Родительский Совет Информационная линия пом
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All primary schools close for mid-term break on Thursday, 15 February 2024, and Friday, 16 February 2024. Some primary schools may choose to close for a longer period from Monday, 12 February 2024, to Friday 16 February 2024.
Post-primary schools close for a week for mid-term break, from Monday, 12 February 2024, to Friday, 16 February 2024 inclusive, although some post-primary schools may need to make up for time lost due to unforeseen school closures.
If a post-primary school needs to make up such time, it can shorten the mid-term break by staying open, up to and including Wednesday, 14 February 2024.
A guide for parents on the school system in Ireland can be found here: https://www.pdst.ie/cultural-and-linguistic-supports
Children aged between 4 and 18 will be supported to access public primary or post-primary education provided by the State as appropriate.
You can approach any local primary or post-primary school and seek information about a place for your child or children.
In Ireland children attend primary school from ages 4 or 5 to age 12 or 13.
Children attend post-primary, sometimes called secondary school, from ages 12 or 13 for five or six years.
Children in Ireland must be in receipt of an appropriate education between the ages of 6 and 16.
To enrol your child in a local school, you can approach the school directly. A list of all schools is available to help you find your local schools.
If the school has a place for your child, they will provide you with more information on how to enrol in that school.
If you have any difficulties in securing a placement, contact your local Regional Education and Language Team. There are 16 teams, based around Ireland.
If you have moved accommodation since schools closed for the summer and now need to change school, you must apply directly to the new school.
If you have any difficulties in securing a placement, contact your local Regional Education and Language Team.
Many families from Ukraine are currently staying in short-term temporary accommodation.
It may be necessary to change the location of the accommodation provided. In some cases, this may mean students would need to move school. Schools have been made aware of this.
Where students are staying in temporary accommodation that they know will be for a short period of time, parents may wish to consider waiting to enrol their child in a school. If you wish to enrol in a school but you are aware that your accommodation may change, it is useful to let the school know, so they can support your child appropriately.
The REALT can provide information and assistance. Find information on supporting your child.
Ireland has its own indigenous language – Irish (called Gaeilge in the Irish langauge). Most children in Ireland learn the language as a subject in school from the first year of primary school – junior infants – until the final year in post-primary school.
While English is the main spoken language in most of the country, Irish is spoken as the primary language in a number of regions in Ireland. These regions are known as the Gaeltacht. Approximately 2.1% of the population of Ireland live in these regions.
The schools in these regions teach the curriculum through the medium of Irish and have close links with the local community in their work to promote and preserve the language.
In some schools in other parts of the country, education is provided through the medium of Irish. These schools are known as Gaelscoileanna (primary schools) and Gaelcholáistí (post-primary schools).
Before enrolling their child in a school, parents may wish to confirm the language of instruction in the school. They may also discuss with the school authorities the most appropriate placement for their child in light of their existing language skills and education needs.
New applications for school transport for the above children must be made by the parent/guardian directly.
A new application is if your child has:
- been enrolled for the first time in school
- moved schools
- moved accommodation
If you have made an application for your child for school transport previously and their home or school address has not changed, you do not need to re-apply for school transport, the application will carry over to the 23/24 school year.
If a pupil has changed their home address or changed school then a new application must be submitted.
New applications for school transport can be made from 14 June 2023 via a link to an online form which is available here: Application for school transport parent/guardian/host family.
All new and existing applications for transport will be assessed by Bus Éireann over the summer months.
For pupils residing in host family homes/independent living/pledged accommodation, the normal eligibility criteria will not apply and eligibility will be granted to the school that the child/children are enrolled in provided that this is the closest school that has capacity for the pupil at the time of enrolment.
As seats are assigned to pupils, Bus Éireann will issue tickets to families. Children will be expected to meet the service at the existing pick-up point.
There will be no charge for the ticket.
In cases where there is no existing service or where there is no capacity on an existing service, a grant can be offered to the family as appropriate to support them with the cost of transport arrangements.
Процес надання послуг шкільного транспорту для дітей, які прибувають до Ірландії з України – 2023/2024 навчальний рік
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Процесс предоставления услуг школьного транспорта для детей, прибывающих в Ирландию из Украины – 2023/2024 учебный год
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New applications for school transport for the 2023/2024 school year for the above children must be made by the school principals. School principals should complete the information required on the application form below and return it to their local REALT*. The information will be submitted by REALT to Bus Éireann in order to provide school transport services as required.
A new application is if the student has:
- been enrolled for the first time in school
- moved schools
- moved accommodation centre/modular build/group setting
If you have made an application for a student(s) for school transport previously, and their home or school address has not changed, you do not need to re-apply for school transport, the application will carry over to the 23/24 school year.
It is important to ensure the details for these students are correct and up to date.
School Transport application for children from Ukraine residing in Accommodation Centres
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*Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) are hosted by the 16 regional education and training boards around Ireland and staffed by regionally based education support personnel. The primary role of the REALT is to build on existing regional education support structures and the initial focus will be on assisting families in securing school places. REALT will also support schools in the area to meet the needs of these children as they emerge, to advise and support the Department of Education in developing new capacity where required, and to co-ordinate the provision of education services to schools and families across their defined area.
Details of your local REALT can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/48639-information-for-schools-ukraine/
- phone number: 057 9325467 (during office hours)
- email address: transportapplications@education.gov.ie
The 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the state offer English language skills courses for adults.
If you need to learn English or improve your English, the ETB (Education & Training Board) will assess your English language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and will arrange appropriate language and other learning supports to help you develop your English.
This service is free.
Further Education and Training (FET) is a diverse and welcoming sector. In 2022, there where learners from 195 different nationalities enrolled in FET.
All the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) offer free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training, as part of their adult literacy provision, to meet the day-to-day social, cultural, and work-related language needs of migrants and refugees.
These ESOL courses range from beginner (A level) to intermediate / independent (B level) to highly proficient (C level). While there are no formal language entry requirements for an ESOL course, learners complete an initial assessment to identify their current language and literacy levels. ESOL courses are either Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) or Cambridge certified.
ESOL delivery is predominantly face to face, but some ETBs also offer online or blended delivery. Many innovative models have been developed, with classes taking part in trusted locations (accommodation centres), dispersed provision (outreach locations) and core ETB centres. Likewise, many ETBs also offer ESOL courses combining other subjects such as employment skills, IT skills and business studies.
The majority of ESOL courses are part-time, with provision being provided 3 to 4 hours per week. Some ETBs offer more intensive ESOL courses with provision being provided over 6 hours per week.
All citizens of Ireland, The United Kingdom, Switzerland, or the member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) can access ESOL. Moreover, International Protection Applicants (IPAs) can access adult literacy and ESOL provision for free, regardless of their whether they have permission to work or not.
In addition, access to ESOL and Literacy supports is also open to Non-EU/EEA/Swiss/UK citizens with no visa permissions. Likewise, those resident in Emergency Refugee Orientation Centres (EROCs) as part of their initial resettlement process can join ESOL programmes.
In the case of Non-EU/EEA/Swiss/UK citizens who have visa permissions, eligibly for ESOL depends on their:
- employment permit
- labour market permission letter
- letter from the Minister for Justice granting them permission to work
- Irish Residence Permit (IRP) Stamp
If you are interested in availing of English language classes, please see information below on what is offered in your area. This information may change, and you should contact your ETB to check details of what is available. Course places are dependent on demand, and you should contact your ETB as soon as possible.
You can also search and apply for English language courses on the FETCH courses website. Please note that some ESOL courses are not published on FETCH. Therefore, it is recommended that you contact your local ETB. Intensive ESOL course provision and contact details are outlined below.
Priority is given to learners with basic English language skills to get them to a level of functional competency. However, there are more intensive classes available for those with more advanced English language skills that are 6 hours per week. Most of these courses are QQI certified and are between 7-14 weeks long.
For more information on English language classes in CMETB (Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board) please contact:
- Karen: 047-71914
- Caroline: 049-4361881
CDETB courses are divided into three distinct areas:
- Adult Education Service - Classes up to 12 hours per week
- Colleges of FET - Year long courses from 12-24 hours per week
- evening classes: Most are provided by Adult Education Service but there are also fee-paying evening classes in Ballsbridge College
If you are interested in receiving more hours per week of English classes, please see information below on what is offered in your area.
This information may change, and you should contact your ETB to check details of what is available. Course places are dependent on demand, and you should contact your ETB as soon as possible.
You can also search and apply for English language courses on the FETCH courses website.
1: City of Dublin Education and Training Board (City of Dublin ETB) Adult Education Service
English language classes are provided by the Adult Education Service up to 12 hours a week.
Free, flexible, part-time English Language classes:
- beginners
- elementary
- pre-intermediate*
- intermediate*
- business English*
- English language and literacy
- a limited range of evening classes are available face to face and online. These classes are not accredited
Some courses are accredited at QQI Levels 3, 4 and 5.
Contact details for the Adult Education Service are below.
- Dublin North Central: joanne.mccabe@aes.cdetb.ie or 0877707854
- Dublin North Inner City: brian.mooney@aes.cdetb.ie or esol@parnell.cdetb.ie or 018147900
- Dublin Cabra and Finglas: james.okeeffe@aes.cdetb.ie or 0872172772
- Dublin South Central Dublin 8 and 12: eithne.mcgrath@aes.cdetb.ie or 086 066 4723
- Dublin South Inner City: ania.zajko@aes.cdetb.ie or 0873779270
2: City of Dublin ETB Colleges of Further Education
More intensive English language classes of between 12 to 24 hours per week are available in the Colleges of Further Education.
Check out the FETCH courses website and the websites of the Colleges of Further Education:
- Ballsbridge
- Coláiste Dhulaigh
- Rathmines
- Whitehall
Courses are between 13-39 weeks long certified by QQI.
Intensive English language courses as well as English language courses integrated with other subjects are provided such as Business Studies, Information Technology, Employment Skills, Office Skills, and Healthcare Assistant.
Access a map of ESOL classes in Cork, with contact details. More intensive English classes of between 6-10 hours per week are available. These courses are QQI certified and are between 4-18 weeks long.
For more information on English language classes in Cork ETB please contact the ESOL Adult Literacy Organisers:
- Gráinne Stafford: grainne.stafford@corketb.ie
- Laura Dwyer Canton: Laura.DwyerCanton@Corketb.ie
More intensive English language classes of 6 hours per week are available, subject to demand and the resources available. These courses are QQI certified and for those who have the required level of English to progress, based on the assessment that will be conducted. They are between 14-30 weeks long.
For more information on English language classes in Donegal please contact the relevant member of staff for the area in which you are living:
South Donegal
Trisha Walsh Gillespie
Further Education and Training Centres
Donegal Town and Ballyshannon
T: 074-9721705 M: 086-8207338
***
Inishowen
Claire McNicholl
Further Education and Training Centre
Shore Road, Buncrana
T: 074-9362466 M: 086-1740684
***
Gaeltacht and West Donegal
Mairead Somerville
Ionad Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna
Gort a’Choirce
T: 074-9180871 M: 086-1740677
***
Letterkenny and Milford
Emilia Niewulska
Further Education and Training Centre
The Hub, Business Park Rd., Letterkenny
T: 074-9706097 M: 086-1740683
Finn Valley and Stranorlar
Georgina Thompson
Further Education and Training Centre
Main Street, Stranorlar
T: 074-9190610 M: 087-7002294
Intensive English language classes of between 5-8 hours per week are available. These courses are between 11 –35 weeks in duration. Options are available for those who are new to the English language. For those with more advanced English skills it may be possible to avail of QQI certified courses or Cambridge certified courses at Levels B1 and B2.
For more information on English language classes in Dublin and Dún Laoghaire please contact: ESOL@ddletbaes.ie
More intensive English language classes of between 6 and 20 hours are available. These courses may be available for those with beginner to functional English levels. Courses can be daytime or evening depending on demand and are usually one-year long QQI certification is available on these courses.
For more information on English language classes in Galway and Roscommon please contact GRETB (Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board) at guidance@gretb.ie or via the freephone number 1800 140 242.
More intensive English language classes of 6 hours per week are available. These courses are between 10 -14 weeks long. There are QQI certified courses and Cambridge levels pre-A1, A1, A2, B1 to B2.
Moreover, there are general English language classes and English language with Employability Skills and Office Skills.
For further information on English language classes in Kerry ETB please contact: listowelabe@staff.kerryetb.ie or killarneyabe@staff.kerryetb.ie
More intensive English language classes of 6 hours per week are available. There are English language classes and courses with other subjects / training such as Contact Centre Operations, Digital Marketing, Information Technology, Business Studies, and Healthcare Support.
For more information on English language classes in Kildare Wicklow ETB please contact:
- Kildare Jigginstown FETC Naas and Newbridge - abenaas@kwetb.ie
- Kildare Town FETC and Athy: abekildaretown@kwetb.ie
- Maynooth FETC: maynoothfetc@kwetb.ie
- Wicklow Arklow & Carnew: abearklow@kwetb.ie
- Baltinglass and Blessington TETC: abeblessington@kwetb.ie
- Bray and Wicklow FETC: abebray@kwetb.ie
More intensive English language classes of between 6-20 hours per week are available. Courses are QQI or City of Guilds certified.
For further information on English language classes in KCETB please see below:
Kilkenny:
- 056 776 3149
- info@kilkennyadultlearning.ie
Carlow:
- 059 913 5544
- info@carlowadultlearningcentre.ie
Intensive English classes ranging from 6 to 30 hours per week are available. Course delivery can vary from 3 – 30 weeks long.
Full Time (30 hours per week) classes are available for learners with beginner English. There are QQI certified and Cambridge certified courses available, ranging from beginner to advanced (Cambridge B2 and preparatory courses for Cambridge C1). Courses include English language classes and English language focusing on different vocational areas i.e. Healthcare, Business.
For more information on English language classes in Limerick and Clare ETB please contact: 1800 70 70 77 or email fetresponse@lcetb.ie
Within LMETB (Louth Meath Education and Training Board) more intensive classes of 6-20 hours per week are available in addition to those provided through Adult Learning Services (ALS). Courses are QQI accredited and there are also some unaccredited classes for those with no English to help them get started on the road to accreditation.
Intensive ESOL is available as part of a QQI Level 3 major award (Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme - VTOS) which has additional modules on getting learners ready for the workplace, e.g. Intercultural Awareness and Computer Literacy.
For more information on English language classes and progression referrals in Louth Meath ETB please contact:
- Meath - 0861373979
- Drogheda - 086 082 8673
- Dundalk and Ardee - 0860132244
More intensive classes of 6 hours per week are available and they are 16 weeks long. These classes are QQI certified and serve beginner to more advanced learners. There are also classes to help prepare learners for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination.
For more information on English language classes in Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB please contact:
Gary Burke, ESOL coordinator, Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim ETB
email: garyburke@msletb.ie
mobile: 085 835 8444
Most English language courses are offered for 6 hours a week. These classes are for 39 weeks and are available both daytime and evening. QQI, Cambridge ESOL and non- certified classes are offered. There are also free short ESOL videos from TETB available on YouTube. Please note, as there is a huge demand for classes, waiting lists are in operation for some courses.
For more information on English language classes in Tipperary ETB please contact Lavinia English:
- email: lenglish@tipperaryetb.ie
- phone: 0504 22714
- mobile: 087 2904160
All displaced Ukrainian nationals in receipt of Temporary Protection, looking to apply for a place in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for the 2024/25 academic year, should do so by applying through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The closing date for applications is Thursday 1 February at 5pm.
A list of HEIs and courses is available at www.cao.ie/courses.
As part of the CAO (Central Applications Office) process, you will be required to confirm whether your entry is based on the 2024 Leaving Certificate results. In all other cases, your application will be based on academic documentation (such as an English language competency certificate, Ukrainian school tests etc.) you present to the individual HEIs.
A bursary, worth up to €6,115, has been announced for students who are living in Ireland and have been granted temporary protection under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015 to study an approved PLC (Post-Leaving Certificate) course.
Temporary Tuition Fee Support Scheme for displaced persons
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FET courses and programmes are provided through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across Ireland and though the SOLAS eCollege online platform.
There are a range of options available at https://www.fetchcourses.ie/courses.
Further education is free of charge or heavily subsidised. Courses are designed to support learners who are interested in:
- upskilling to enter the workforce or progress in their existing career
- progressing into further or higher education
- undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship
- developing their skills in reading and writing