Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
924. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to the continuation of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29755/26]
View answer925. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will engage with members of an organisation (details supplied) in relation to concerns for the viability of the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29756/26]
View answer926. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to proposed strike action by members of an organisation (details supplied) in relation to concerns for the deficit in services that had been provided by the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29757/26]
View answer927. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the liquidation of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29758/26]
View answer928. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the merits of establishing an independent review of an organisation (details supplied) into the circumstances related to the closure of the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29759/26]
View answer929. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the engagement she has had with members of an organisation (details supplied) in relation to concerns for the viability of the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29760/26]
View answer930. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she will take to ensure that the services provided by an organisation (details supplied) will be in place going forward, regardless of the formal status of the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29761/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 924, 925, 926, 927, 928, 929 and 930 together.
The Board of the organisation concerned notified its public funders in February 2026 that a resolution had been passed to place the company into voluntary liquidation on the grounds of insolvency. On 3 March 2026, the Board confirmed that all operations had ceased and that it was engaging with a proposed liquidator.
Prior to these developments, concerns had been raised regarding governance and financial matters arising at the organisation in the past year. In October 2025, the public funders, the local Education and Training Board, the HSE, the Department of Social Protection and this Department, commissioned an independent finance and governance review. The review was primarily focused on the period 2024-2025. Funding of the organisation was continued so that services to the local Traveller community could remain in place while the review was underway.
However, in light of the Board’s communications in February and early March, the remaining steps to enable the review to be brought to finalisation could not be progressed.
In a statement on 21 April, the Board has advised that it is currently progressing the appointment of a liquidator to place the organisation into formal liquidation. It is assumed in this regard that all steps will be taken in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act.
The matter is being kept under close review. It is a matter for each of the public funders to make whatever alternative arrangements they consider appropriate to ensure that Traveller families in the area can access services that were previously provided by the organisation.
I wish to acknowledge and thank the staff, volunteers and Traveller leaders who dedicated many years of service to advancing equality, inclusion and improved outcomes for Traveller families in the local area.
The Government remains fully committed to Traveller and Roma inclusion and to the promotion of equality, participation and access to services across all areas of Irish society. Strong, well-run community organisations are central to this work, and the situation continues to be kept under review by the relevant public funders with a focus on supporting affected Traveller families.
