Labour Market Access (Work permit):

If you are a Beneficiary of the Temporary Protection Directive you have the right to work in Ireland when you have your Temporary Protection permission letter. Temporary Protection for beneficiaries of temporary protection has been extended to March 2026. However, individuals will have to apply to renew their temporary protection via an online system expected to launch in February 2025. Further information here Beneficiaries of temporary protection: How to renew your current permission

Applications for International Protection Applicants must be made online, you will need to wait 5 months after you apply for International Protection. That is 5 months after the “Application Received” date shown in the centre of your TRC (blue card). You will need to create an Irish Immigration Service Online account to access this service. Further information and Application forms can be found here Labour Market Access Permission- Further information

Register for the service here Irish Immigration Service Online

An information guide on how to setup an online account can be accessed here Guide to completing your application form

The Citizens Information Board is the statutory body which supports the provision of information, advice and advocacy on a broad range of public and social services. 

Further information: Citizens Information: Employment

Irish Refugee Council (IRC) Employment supports empower refugees and people seeking protection to gain employment through outreach, information sessions, training, casework, mentoring and referrals to overcome barriers to entering and retaining employment.

Further information: Irish Refugee Council Employment information and support

Employment supports services

Please note that you may need a WORK PERMIT, also called the Labour Market Access Permission, to access services below. 

• Intreo (the Public Employment Service) is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports and services.
  Further information: Find your local intreo office

• Westmeath Community Development provide supports in relation to Employability, Inclusion and Learning. Informational flyer here: Employability Supports Westmeath Community Development
  Further information: Westmeath Community Development

• Seetec National & Local Area Employment Service. Delivering employability and skills programmes across Ireland. International protection applicants can self refer for the purpose of employment supports and attend Seetec office first. Those attending are required to bring their PPS No. and proof of full name.  Seetec will liaise with DSP to confirm the person’s right to work. They welcome eligible individuals presenting to their offices from IPAS centres for a walk-in appointment. No prior booking of appointment required.
  Further information: Seetec

• Employability-Turas Nua delivers Employability services to clients in the Midlands. Employability is a service that helps people with disabilities, mental health challenges, or those recovering from illness or injury to find and keep a job that suits them.
  Further information here Employability
  Local Employability Locations can be found here: Midlands Employability locations

• EPIC Programme- EPIC helps unemployed and job-ready asylum seekers, refugees and migrants living in Ireland to increase their chances of finding a job through online training, individual support and partnering with businesses.
  Further information here: epic-programme

• Local Enterprise Office Westmeath is the First Stop Shop for anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Westmeath. LEO Westmeath offers a variety of supports to businesses including training, mentoring and grant supports (to eligible enterprises).
  Further information here: localenterprise.ie/Westmeath

• JobsIreland.ie is the Public Employment Service of the Department of Social Protection.
  Further information and Employment search portal: JobsIreland.ie

• NARIC Ireland provides advice on the academic recognition of a foreign qualification by comparing it, where possible, to a major award type and level on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
  Further information: NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualifications

• Critical Skills Occupations List: Employments in respect of which there is a shortage in respect of qualifications, experience or skills which are required for the proper functioning of the economy. Applicants with these skills may apply for Critical Skills Employment Permits however you will need to apply for these permits before travelling to Ireland. If your employment falls within the broad employment category but you do not have a specialism as indicated under ‘Employments with specific skills’, you may not be eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit.     
  Further information: Critical Skills Occupations List

• I-VOL is the national searchable database of volunteering opportunities in Ireland and is owned, managed and administered by Volunteer Ireland and the network of Volunteer Centres across Ireland.
  Further information: IVOL The National Volunteering Database

• The Citizens Information Board is the statutory body which supports the provision of information, advice and advocacy on a broad range of public and social services.                                                                              Further information on volunteering with Citizens Information here:  Volunteer with Citizens Information

• Westmeath Volunteer Centre exists to promote positive inclusive well managed volunteering within the county.
  Further information: Westmeath volunteer centre

• Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) is a national organisation working with migrants and their families in Ireland to promote justice, empowerment and equality. They have a FAQ sheet on Employment which may answer any queries you have.

   
  Further information: MRCI Employment FAQ

• MRCI has also helped many workers with their employment rights issues. They provide information and support to people who are being treated badly in their jobs. This includes information on changing your employer and guidance to protect your legal right to work. MRCI has represented people who have been treated badly to recover money from those who mistreated them. If you or someone you know are being treated badly at work, please reach out to MRCI for free confidential support and guidance on your options.
  Access help here: https://www.mrci.ie/labour-exploitation-contact-us/

Financial supports for accessing work related training

• The Training Support Grant (Department of Social Protection) provides access to short term training/education that can support individual jobseekers to access work opportunities. The grant can be provided when an Employment Personal Adviser or Job Coach has identified an immediate skills gap or related intervention, such as obtaining certification, that is preventing a jobseeker commencing a job offer. Training can be approved up to a maximum amount of €1000 per annum.
  Further information: Training Support Grant

• The JRS Ireland Education Fund seeks to address barriers to education for asylum seekers, by facilitating access to further education and vocational training through grants and sponsorship.
  Further Information: JRS Ireland Education Fund