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One in five Ukrainians in Ireland have already found work

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By Natalya Krasnenkova

One in five Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Ireland since the war broke out have already found employment, while almost two thirds of the remainder are actively looking for work.

This is one of the principle findings of the inaugural survey of Ukrainian refugees carried out by Ukrainian Action In Ireland (UACT), a registered non-profit committed to supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees.

It was established by a group of Ukrainian and Irish volunteers united by the idea to help Ukraine and Ukrainians in the times of the war and beyond. Their main mission is to be the voice and action for Ukrainians in Ireland, to provide humanitarian support to Ukraine, and to show and promote a positive image of modern Ukraine in Ireland.

SURVEY

The main purpose of the survey is to give a voice to Ukrainians fleeing the war and to learn about the main challenges they face. Some 2,191 adult Ukrainian refugees living in the Republic of Ireland were surveyed.

“It is important for UAСT to understand the real pains and problems of Ukrainians from people directly," Olena Redrugina, a co-founder of UAСT, said.

"We understand that many Ukrainians are spread across Ireland, and this survey allowed us to reach out to the most remote locations. This is our first survey, which gave us lots of unexpected insights. It triggered many new ideas and insights within UACT and we hope this information will be of use to everyone involved.”

Of those who have found work, only 5% have found a job matching their professional qualifications. Two out of every five (38%) refugees looking for a job do not have a bank account/card. Mothers face the greatest difficulties finding employment. Although 20% of mothers have found jobs and 43% are actively looking, 22% are unable to work because of child commitments or health conditions.

LANGUAGE BARRIER

One of the biggest issues facing Ukrainian refugees in accessing language courses, with almost half of all respondents speaking little or no English and 63% experiencing a language barrier in their search for a job. More than half of Ukrainians are studying English by themselves using online resources. 40% of them are attending English classes in person.

Most respondents are happy with the provided education. However, frequent relocation is affecting and interrupting language studies. Respondents expressed a strong desire to have more conversational practice and more frequency of classes (more than once per week). With most of the courses oriented towards the unemployed, those who have found jobs struggle to find education outside of working hours.

GRATITUDE

90% of Ukrainians expressed deep gratitude to the Irish Government and the Irish people for being able to live in safety. Almost two-thirds of Ukrainians are willing to actively contribute to the economy of Ireland, and half of the displaced are actively looking for a job and actively studying English.

ACCESS TO SERVICES

Most of the Ukrainian refugee respondents said they did not have issues with services and are satisfied overall. Over 90% are highly satisfied with how they were granted Temporary Protection and a PPS Number. On the other hand, 37% have not received a Medical Card and have issues finding a GP. Some 70% of Ukrainians have not received a bank card. Only 3% exchanged their Ukrainian driving license for an Irish one.

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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