Third Level Staff
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-14
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Marian Harkin (IND), Sligo-Leitrim

I am stating that here in the House tonight on the record. I want it to be true and it needs to be true. I think both of us agree that should be the 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, but I did hear what Deputy Gibney spoke about in regard to the transfer of undertakings. That is something I am quite familiar with myself. I will check that out for her. I will ask about that because it is an important point and an important issue, but there is not any information about it here. To be fair, a lot of work has gone into this to try to ensure that staff and students are protected. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, has worked very hard on this. A master plan for the campus will be published in the coming months, and subject to consideration by SETU in consultation with the 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 have taken place on this issue.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-14/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:08+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-14