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thank the Deputy. As she will be aware, Carlow College is and has always been, a private and autonomous institution operating outside the publicly funded higher education system. Despite this, it has received substantial State support, including over €3.1 million in student fee grants, with an annual uplift … Through the support of the Minister, Deputy Lawless, and our Department to prevent a disorderly shutdown, SETU agreed in 2025 to engage with Carlow College. An independent mediator was appointed to guide Carlow College through the process. The engagement included extensive analysis and due diligence, culminating

want to talk about the job losses at Carlow College, St. Patrick's, and the severe impact on students and the regional workforce. The recent announcement of the phased wind-down and closure of Carlow College over a two-year period marks a devastating blow to higher education … absolutely no prior consultation or engagement. There are many questions on this issue. On what date did the Department or SETU formally advise Carlow College's senior management that staff and programmes would not be transferring into SETU? At what point did the Minister notify Carlow College

institutions is a prudent and measured approach that protects the educational attainment and interests of students in the region. Every current learner in Carlow College will be able to complete their studies and graduate as planned without disruption or disadvantage. That commitment of continuity and fairness has guided … every step of the process. At the same time, the framework provides the autonomy and responsibilities of Carlow College as a private institution and employer with a long history. Government has every confidence the formal discussions commenced by Carlow College with its staff and staff reps will

exit of specialist experts right at the start of an academic year ensures immediate systemic disruption to lecturing, dissertations, supervision and placement mentoring. Carlow College serves a unique, non-traditional student demographic that the university sector regularly fails to reach. In the social care cohort, over … certificate students. I was one these in a different college, Limerick College of Further Education. I was given a second chance through that college. Carlow College has tailored supports that face the acts. Students have succeeded because of the college's hyper-tailored specialised support staff. Redundancies targeting

school in Priorswood in the context of its new DEIS plus status. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the development of Bunclody Community College, County Wexford. Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss the pricing of train tickets between Athenry and Galway. Deputy Eamon Scanlon - To discuss exceptional staffing pressures … unprovoked one-punch fatal assaults. Deputy Donna McGettigan - To discuss the potential loss of 87 jobs and the uncertainty facing 600 students at Carlow College. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the reimbursement of a drug (details supplied) and the implementation of the drug reimbursement system as committed

discuss the exceptional staffing pressures at St. Patrick's National School, County Sligo. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss the planned closure of Carlow College and transfer of the campus to SETU. Deputy Ged Nash - To discuss the recent fish kill on the River Glyde, County Louth. Deputy Michael

report back to us on the matter. It is an important point. I know the town of Carlow well and the Deputy makes good points with regard to hospital and college. It is a large centre of population as well

commend Deputy Kerrane on bringing forward this motion. I remember five or six years ago Kathleen Funchion, the former TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, began a process of speaking to childcare providers and families around the country about this issue. It was an issue for everyone in every constituency … early-years educators were in the very same position. They could not afford to continue to work in the sector after going to college and qualifying. They loved working with children yet they could not afford to continue to do that. We recognised something needed to be done

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the decision making process behind the merger with Carlow College and SETU; the assessment that was undertaken on this decision to close Carlow College altogether and make the staff redundant; if other alternatives

Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the long term plans for St Patricks College Carlow ; the plans for the building and site if the college closes; the courses that will be protected; the job protections can be given

Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the buildings and lands associated with St. Patrick's Carlow College have been valued; and if so, the estimated value. [46729/26

Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that adequate protections are in place for staff affected by the planned closure of Carlow College, including redundancy arrangements, recognition of years of service, and access to future employment opportunities within the higher education sector; and if he will

Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the consultation process with the staff of Carlow College ahead of its closure in 2028; the reasons they are not being redesigned posts in SETU as part of the move