Marcus Walsh

Delivered in partnership with the Irish Refuge Council and Deloitte, the free eight-week legal education course seeks to empower people seeking protection and refugees to better understand and advocate for themselves within the Irish system.

It begins on 11 September 2025 and will be delivered primarily online. It covers the Irish legal system, employment, housing, healthcare, and access to public services.

The programme is supported by leading companies across banking and financial services, healthcare, and consumer-facing sectors, providing participants with practical insights into how key systems and services operate in Ireland.

With a record enrolment of over 600 participants in 2024, the Irish programme has now surpassed 1,000 participants since its launch in 2021. 

To drive greater access and participation, this year recruitment materials have been translated into the five most spoken languages among participants: French, Spanish, Ukrainian, Arabic, and Persian. While all modules will be delivered in English, the translated materials aim to make registration and programme information more accessible to a wider audience.

DLA Piper has been collaborating with Deloitte since 2022 for the Aspire programme (formerly the development programme) to provide post-programme employment opportunities.

In 2025, 10 internships will be offered through Deloitte’s Aspire initiative, giving participants hands-on experience aligned to their skills and qualifications.

DLA Piper is also once again planning to recruit an intern from the programme to support its business services team, following the success of its first internship in 2024. The initiative offers practical experience in a professional services environment.

Marcus Walsh, legal director and head of pro bono at DLA Piper Ireland, said: “We’re proud to launch our sixth Know Your Rights programme in Ireland.

“Each year, we see this programme grow in impact, providing legal and practical information to participants, building confidence and supporting new opportunities for people building their lives in Ireland. With over 1,000 participants reached in Ireland alone, this is a cornerstone of our pro bono work.

“We’re also pleased to see Deloitte expand its support through its Aspire programme, and we welcome the involvement of some of our key clients in the banking and financial services, healthcare, and consumer retail sectors in this year’s programme. Their participation brings valuable real-world insight to participants.

“We encourage other businesses to consider how they too can contribute, whether by assisting with delivering training modules, offering mentoring, or creating pathways to employment.”

Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, said: “This programme is needed now more than ever. It provides people seeking protection in Ireland with vital information about their rights and entitlements, helping them to navigate life here with dignity and confidence.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with DLA Piper on this vital initiative.”

Adrienne Daly, head of social impact at Deloitte Ireland, said: “Moving to Ireland to apply for international protection or refugee status is an extraordinarily brave decision. One of the challenges this group faces while they wait for a final decision is having an opportunity to use their skills in Ireland’s job market, this is where initiatives like Aspire steps in.

“At Deloitte, our goal is to make an impact that matters, so we are so proud to be working with DLA Piper and the Irish Refugee Council for the fourth year in a row, offering impactful work placements that are aligned to applicants’ skills and experience.

“It has been a privilege to see the positive effect the programme has had for the 20 individuals that have already come through it and I look forward to welcoming this year’s applicants.”

The Know Your Rights programme is part of DLA Piper’s global pro bono practice and is delivered in partnership with clients and NGOs around the world.

Since 2017, it has run 515 training sessions in 26 offices across 17 countries, reaching 3,224 displaced people from 115 nationalities, and been supported by over 800 DLA Piper lawyers contributing more than 10,000 pro bono hours.