Refugee Employment Integration Program (Ireland)

Problem Addressed:
Employment not only helps to provide financial stability, but also provides a sense of purpose, belonging and connection to community. A lack of knowledge of the Irish labour market, recruitment processes, non-recognition of prior work experience/qualifications, and limited English language skills pose significant challenges to finding work. This is compounded by the experience of ‘institutionalisation’ under the Direct Provision system. For women this is further exacerbated due to the lack of sufficient childcare supports.

How Objectives are reached:
Irish Refugee Councils’ ‘Mná nah Éireann Employment Integration from Day One,’ program empowers refugees and asylum seekers to gain employment through mentoring and advice.

Mentors:
• explain the entitlements of international protection applicants & refugees to work in Ireland
• provide general information on employment rights and entitlements
• explain Irelands’ taxation system, and how to register with Irish tax office
• provide guidance on financial planning, how employment affects social welfare, medical card, social housing entitlement and income thresholds for joint family visas
• sign-post organisations who can further assist candidates in finding employment in Ireland
• create links with employers to accept prior learning, gaps in CVs etc
• work with people to access employment – CV skills, personal presentation etc

Stakeholders: IRC; IP applicants, refugees. marque employers, corporate entities