Buíon is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union 
Buíon Phort Láirge provides a range of supports for jobseekers which are detailed below:
- Supports for Migrants.
- Waterford City Local Area Employment Service
- SICAP Employment Supports
- Tus Work Placement Supports
- Supports for Disabled People to Access Employment
INTEGRATION & EMPLOYMENT OF MIGRANTS PROGRAMME (IEM)
The IEM Programme, funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth (DCEDIY), is a targeted initiative aimed at supporting non-EEA migrants, including those with or without legal status or permission to access the labour market, as they work toward integration and self-sufficiency in Ireland.
Our programme is designed with a holistic approach, addressing not only immediate needs but also long-term goals. We tailor our supports to each individual, guiding clients toward employment opportunities that align with their skills, previous work experience, and educational background.
Key features of the IEM Programme include:
- Employment Services: Assistance with CV preparation, job applications, interview preparation, and job market navigation.
- Skills Training: Provision of accredited training such as SafePass, Manual Handling, forklift operation, and—most recently—Security Training Courses tailored to meet current labour market demands.
- Language Development: Conversational English classes and support in obtaining English language certifications.
- Workshops and Tailored Programmes: Development of new initiatives such as tailoring training to specific migrant needs, fostering skills in line with evolving community demands.
- Holistic Support: Taking into account personal circumstances, health, and aspirations, we guide clients toward sustainable employment that suits their unique motivations and abilities.
Our mission is to empower participants to secure meaningful employment, pursue further education, and achieve full integration into Irish society.
For more information or to get involved, please contact us at vmatsak@buion.ie or amif@buion.ie. Phone: 086 600 3828.
Intercultural Health Work
Buíon’s Intercultural Health Worker facilitates access to healthcare for International Protection Applicants and Programme Refugees. Staff link in with internal and local services to support the needs of migrants based on the social determinants of health, the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes: the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life.
The Buíon Intercultural Health Programme covers all 9 centres in Waterford and provides practical supports to all residents of IPAS centres in Waterford and South Tipperary.
For further information contact Conor O’Brien cobrien@buion.ie 086 170 7808
Waterford City Local Employment Service (Intreo Partner)
We work with Intreo referrals to deliver free, supportive and confidential services for jobseekers in Waterford City. We partner with other WAP services to deliver holistic supports to meet the needs of people that are referred to us.
For further information call 051-304951 or contact Pat Wallace pwallace@buion.ie
SICAP Employment Services
SICAP provides supports and services to unemployed people living in Waterford City & County.
- Job entry level training programmes; including Safe Pass, Manual Handling, Customer Service, Barista and HACCP
- Financial support to access a specific industry certified training programme linked to a proven job offer
- CV and Interview Skills Programmes
- Referral to other employment support services
- Collaborative programmes for specific groups of those most excluded from the jobs market including; people with a disability, migrant communities, members of the Traveller community and older people.
For further information or to register for SICAP Employment Supports contact Mary Byrne (city area) on mbyrne@buion.ie 086 700 7998 or Cathy Burns (county area) on cburns@buion.ie 086 203 2099
Tús Work Placement Supports
Tús is a national activation initiative for those who are unemployed and on the Live Register. The aim is to provide short-term quality and suitable working opportunities for people in community and voluntary organisations.Tús provides opportunities to improve a person’s work readiness and ability to enter the workforce by enhancing motivation and confidence, offering opportunities to experience different work environments and providing employment related experience.Community and Voluntary Organisations can develop and deliver services locally and benefit from the skills and experience of the Tús participants.The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) is responsible for the operation of Tús. It is managed at a local level by Local Development Companies. In Waterford City, it is managed by Buíon Phort Láirge.
Information for applicants
Participants work 19 ½ hours a week and the placement lasts 12 months. Placements are in community and voluntary organisations that provide a wide range of beneficial services to the community.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to participate on the Tús Scheme you must:
- Have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and ‘signing’ on a full time basis
- In receipt of a Jobseekers payment from DEASP for at least 12 months, and
- Currently in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance
Self Referral
While the majority of people referred for Tús are selected on a random basis by the Department, places can be filled by self-referral by talking to your INTREO Case Officer.
For further information on Tus Work Placement Supports contact John Barrett jbarrett@buion.ie 087 195 6342
Supports for Disabled People to Access Employment
The Workability Immersion Programme incorporates a strong focus on employer engagement, raising employer’s awareness and building their capacity to recruit, retain and progress people with disabilities in their workforce.
Programme Objectives:
- To improve the employment prospects of people with disabilities who are currently distant from the labour market.
- To build the capacity of employers to recruit, retrain and progress people with disabilities within their workforce.
- To facilitate new partnerships amongst stakeholders (people with disabilities, disability services, employment services and employers)and new approaches to providing employment supports to people with disabilities.
To participate in and receive supports from the Immersion Programme individuals must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be in receipt of any of the following: Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Illness benefit for more than three months, Blind Pension, Disability Benefit or Partial Capacity Benefit.
- Identify as having a disability
- Aged 16 years or older at the time of registration with no upper age limit
For further information contact Jamie Power jpower@buion.ie or phone 086206 7840
This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.