Ukraine - How You Can Help

Thu, Mar 3, 2022

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In the past days the people of Ireland have shown great compassion and solidarity with the people of Ukraine. I understand that people want to help in whatever way they can, and I have sought to provide information below on how to do so.

Ukraine - How You Can Help

How can you help those in Ukraine

The warm generosity Irish people have shown already is remarkable. With transport systems under pressure however, sending physical goods could add stress to the situation on the ground. Anyone who would like to help are being encouraged to donate to established Irish and international humanitarian organisations, as donating cash, rather than physical items, allows organisations to source relief items locally, ensuring quality and quick delivery to those who need them. A comprehensive list of live appeals has been complied by Dóchas, the umbrella organisation for Irish NGOs.

These include the following:

How can you help those in Ireland from Ukraine

Irish Red Cross

The Irish Red Cross are working with the Government of Ireland to put in place a national accommodation pledge register and are seeking spare rooms and vacant property pledges so that they can help people arriving in Ireland integrate into our communities. You can find out how to pledge your vacant property or spare room here.

Become a community sponsor through Nasc

Nasc have a programme that gives people across Ireland the opportunity to come together as community sponsorship groups and welcome resettled refugees to their local communities. You can find more information on Nasc’s community sponsorship programme here.

The Irish Refugee Council

The Irish Refugee Council are currently prioritising giving advice and information to people trying to leave Ukraine. You can donate to support the work of the Irish Refugee Council as they seek to ensure Ukrainians are safe and welcome in Ireland.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland

The Immigrant Council Helpline organised an online info session for Ukrainians in Ireland on family reunification options and other ways to bring loved ones from Ukraine to Ireland. You can find a recording of this session here. The Immigrant Council are also accepting donations to support their free services supporting Ukrainians in Ireland to apply for family reunification for loved ones impacted by the crisis.

This Cork-based charity provides support to Polish and Eastern European migrant communities in Ireland and is currently raising funds to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Further information is available here.

Doras

Doras, a Limerick-based national migrant and refugee support organisation, will be supporting Ukrainians with resettlement efforts and international protection applications and to ensure they feel welcomed and supported in Ireland. You can support their work here.

Donating goods and supplies

The Immigrant Council of Ireland are recommending you contact 087 923 4421 or 087 251 0015 if you would like to know where to bring humanitarian aid. If you would like to donate medical supplies for Ukrainians, you should write to the reserve email of the Embassy of Ukraine to Ireland (emb.ua.ireland@gmail.com) or call 01 668 5189 to get the latest list of necessary items and the collection location.

Translation and Interpretation Services

Any member of the public with a command of Ukrainian, Russian, or both, and who wishes to volunteer their assistance may contact the International Protection Accommodation Service at the following email address: ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie

Advice for Ukrainians Arriving in Ireland

You can find a briefing note which provides an initial overview of what Ukrainian individuals and families may expect as they arrive in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive here and attached below. As the situation is evolving this information is subject to change. A dedicated site with information on the government supports available can be found here. Information on all social welfare supports for those affected, available in both Ukrainian and Russian, can be found here.

Healthcare services for Ukrainian nationals in Ireland

A specific webpage (here) has been set up which by the HSE (Health Service Executive), Ireland’s public healthcare service, which will be regularly updated with information in Ukranian, Russian and English on the healthcare services, including mental health services, available for Ukrainians arriving in Ireland.

Teacher-informed advice for Ukrainian families (Primary Education)

The INTO has published translated versions of their popular ‘Tips for Parents’ guide in both Ukrainian (here) and Russian (here) to provide helpful information to Ukrainian families arriving in Ireland and seeking to access primary education.

Enrolling in Schools

Students arriving in Ireland during the school closure period will be directed to Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) coordinators, who will assist with identifying potential school places in advance of re-opening in autumn. A full list of REALT coordinators is available here.

Children’s Well-Being Guidance

You can find guidance on supporting all children who may be experiencing distress in relation to current events here.

Further guidance for Parents and Carers from Ukraine on supporting the well-being of their children can be found here. This guidance has been translated into Ukrainian and Russian.

Employment Rights

Ukrainians arriving into Ireland are entitled to the same rights and protections as Irish workers. A user-friendly guide in Ukrainian and Russian explaining their employment rights can be accessed here.

Recognition of Progessional Qualifications

Where a person wishes to practice a regulated profession in Ireland, they must engage with the relevant Competent Authority with responsibility for that profession to seek the recognition of their qualifications. For example in the cases of architects, solicitors and medical professionals, this would be the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), the Law Society and, subject to the medical profession in question, the Medical Council, CORU, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), or the Department of Health to name a few. A list of all of the regulated professions in Ireland, their corresponding competent authority and the relevant contact information for each authority is available here.

In addition, NARIC Ireland provides advice on the academic recognition of a foreign qualification by comparing it to a major award type and level on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The QQI NARIC database currently lists 18 Ukrainian qualifications, comparable to levels 3-10 on the NFQ, including general professional and higher education. NARIC Ireland is working with the NARIC network across Europe to continue building the list of Ukrainian qualifications. The NARIC Guide has recently been translated into Ukrainian and the Guide is also available in Russian.

Driving Licences

Ukrainians will be able to exchange their Ukrainian driving licence for an Irish driving licence, making it easier to move around and access work, school or other vital public services. An application to exchange a licence can be made in any National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centre. An appointment to attend an NDLS centre can be booked online here at or by phone at 0818919090. The new licence will be valid for 12 months and will apply to cars only.

The Road Safety Authority provides information on driving in Ireland including a detailed FAQ for Ukrainian drivers. This is available here.

Helpline

A helpline has been set up in an office at the Irish Refugee Council in Dublin to advise Ukrainian arriving in Ireland on immigration and accommodation matters. The helpline is 01 913 1528 and will be open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm, and will be operated by Ukrainians.

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