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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

recent months the staff of Carlow College have faced the sudden loss of their jobs as the college is closed and acquired by South East Technological University. The workers were led to believe that the future arrangements and merger involving SETU would involve the transfer of employment … caused huge uncertainty for all involved. We have heard from the Department that there was consultation and engagement on the closing of Carlow College and the transfer of its assets to SETU, instead of a merger, which was what the staff and students of the college were

thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. At the outset, it is important to note that Carlow College, St. Patrick's is and always has been an independent private institution operating outside the State-funded higher education sector. Decisions regarding its strategic direction and governance rest … neither the Minister, Deputy James Lawless, nor I have a role in the appointment of its members. Additionally, as a private institution, Carlow College does not fall under the remit of the Higher Education Authority, whose remit extends to publicly funded higher education bodies. Matters such as staffing

fortunate to have the South East Technological University, SETU, which has campuses across Waterford, Carlow, Wexford, Wicklow and Kilkenny. We also have Carlow College, Ireland's second oldest third level institution, which recently announced that it will wind down operations and that no new students sill be accepted … central to those talks. They have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that we cannot afford to lose. There has been engagement between Carlow College and SETU. I ask the Department to work alongside the institutions to support a positive outcome for staff and to put supports

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

This week, in Carlow, we received the news that Carlow College will wind down operation as a third level institution over the course of the next two years. This came as a tremendous shock to the 87 members of staff who went into work on Tuesday only … record of the Dáil that it is my strong view that statutory redundancy alone is not enough in the case of Carlow College. These staff members are dedicated, skilled people who deserve more than the minimum. They deserve a fair, enhanced package that reflects their contribution and supports

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

five weeks redundancy arrangements for affected employees. The Department should lead immediately to establish and oversee a formal working group involving SETU, Carlow College, staff representatives and SIPTU to examine opportunities for redeployment and integration into SETU and other alternatives that minimise compulsory redundancies. If Ministers genuinely believe … stakeholder engagement, now is the time to demonstrate it. The Minister of State mentioned multiple times that the students and staff of Carlow College have been at the forefront of her thinking and that of the Minister's, Deputy Lawless. Unfortunately, that is not the message

situation. Commitment, continuity and fairness have guided every step of this process. We have every confidence that formal discussions commenced by Carlow College with their staff and staff representatives will be carried out in a transparent and forthright manner. It is not in my response here … Department and relevant stakeholders. I do understand the Deputy's real concern on this issue and the people, students and lecturers in Carlow College. I will come back to her with any information I can glean on the transfer of undertakings. To be fair, real consultation and engagement

currently in the college can complete their studies. I have been given assurances that that will continue. The agreed approach is to support Carlow College in delivering the existing programmes through to their completion to August 2028. Second, as the Deputy rightly said, we have excellent people

half its posts remain unfilled. That is a massive failing for children across these communities. To make matters worse, the planned closure of Carlow College, which provided so many social care courses in the area, is another serious blow to the sector and the region. In Carlow

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

gCill Dara. We need earlier morning services and later evening services for those returning from work, events and concerts. I know students in Carlow College who regularly have to leave their classes early in order to catch the train back to Kildare. We need accessible and reliable services

been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Sinéad Gibney - to discuss the closure of Carlow College. Deputy John Connolly - to discuss the provision of appropriate public housing for families that provide foster care. Deputy Michael Cahill - to discuss delays

Minister, Deputy Lawless, the different institutions, the trade unions and the workers. The Deputy spoke about students there. Every current learner at Carlow College will be able to complete their studies and graduate as planned without disruption or disadvantage. Those are the facts

Union. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss the increasing processing times for residence permit renewals. Deputy Sinéad Gibney - To discuss the closure of Carlow College. Deputy James O'Connor - To discuss new proposals of Local Link services for the east Cork area. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss

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

agree with Deputy Newsome Drennan about the transparency that is needed around the Carlow College decision and the 600 students and staff. We need clarity as soon as possible and I ask the Minister to give that issue his attention. I welcome the fact that we have

this Government and the Irish people have is absolutely unbelievable and fantastic, but we need a timeline for delivery. In my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, there are about 15 different projects that are stalled at the moment. It is not good enough. Education is the heartbeat of this … This is a huge concern and huge worry for schools. Coláiste Abhainn Rí in Callan, Borris College, St. Mary's CBS in Carlow, Duiske College in Graiguenamanagh and Scoil Mhuire National School in Mooncoin are all ready to go. The students and parents deserve it. I implore

many courses and options available for students of all ages, whether they go down the apprenticeship route or go to Carlow Institute or College of Further Education and Training, Kilkenny. The choice of courses available is endless and we can really steer people on the right path … allowing them to contribute positively to their neighbourhoods and develop a sense of belonging. I see this in communities right across Kilkenny and Carlow, including in the likes of Borris, St. Mullins, Ballymurphy, Ballinkillen, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown and Callan. The participation of young people in the likes of litter

hear that additional funding will be made available. I look forward to engaging with the Tánaiste to deliver these projects. In Carlow, schools like Borris College and St. Mary's Academy CBS are under pressure. The projects are ready to go. They just need the green light from

position for this project in Kilkenny. The Department and I are prepared to continue to work collaboratively with Kilkenny and Carlow ETB via SOLAS to advance this ambition. Capital investment is a key priority for the Department, and I recognise fully the importance of developing, enhancing and supporting … assure Deputy Cleere it is the intent of the Department to move as quickly as possible with all of the FET colleges. I have been to Carlow already and I will visit Kilkenny in the near future, within the next few months and this is a promise

much for the learners, staff, and the community of Kilkenny and Carlow ETB. In 2022, the Government announced that Kilkenny had been chosen as one of the locations to develop a further education and training college of the future. It is not ideal at the moment that further … launched Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training, which has been a tremendous success, with more than 1,000 students. For Kilkenny city and county to be at the stage it is at now marks an important step forward in the delivery of the college campus

traditional tradespeople. To this end, and in parallel with the work of the task force, Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board has an active further education and training college application, with plans to develop a national centre for traditional building skills. The application was lodged with SOLAS

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

Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he will intervene urgently to prevent large scale redundancies and the closure of courses at Carlow College. [50262/26

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

from eligibility under the free fees initiative and from SUSI grant support; whether he is aware that the BA (Hons) in Psychology at Carlow College is currently the only undergraduate programme at that institution not approved for State funding despite its QQI validation; whether this policy position

Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reasons that the undergraduate psychology degree programme (PC414) at Carlow College is not currently included in the Free Fees Initiative and is not eligible for SUSI grants or funding, despite being equivalent to psychology

fact that the Local Link bus serving Route 887, New Ross to Carlow, arriving in Bagenalstown to pick-up at 8:15 a.m. is already full, and leaves on average 12 - 15 college students attending SETU and Tindall with no transport; that some drivers allow the students