Réada Cronin
Question:358. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if weekend supports for children with additional needs fall within the remit of her brief; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44857/26]
View answerDisability Services
Questions (358)
Written answers
While supports for children with additional needs primarily falls under the remit of the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the HSE for direct reply in relation to any potential aspects concerning the operational provision of youth mental health care.
Question No. 359 answered with Question No. 331.
Questions Nos. 360 to 363, inclusive, answered with Question No. 314.
Ministerial Communications
Questions (364)
Michael Cahill
Question:364. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed report in relation to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44883/26]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality
and should be directed to that Department.
Health Services
Questions (365)
Ged Nash
Question:365. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will organise surgery for an individual (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44884/26]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (366, 367, 368, 369)
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:366. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health if her Department or the HSE has assessed the impact of overnight partner restrictions on postnatal anxiety, depression, breastfeeding, dignity, safety and maternal wellbeing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44912/26]
View answerPaul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:367. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health her views on whether blanket overnight restrictions after childbirth is acceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44913/26]
View answerPaul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:368. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health if exceptions to overnight partner restrictions will be considered for private rooms, caesarean sections, traumatic births, anxiety, breastfeeding difficulties, mobility issues or other clinical and emotional support needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44914/26]
View answerPaul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:369. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Health whether her Department will consider a national standard for family-centred postnatal care, including overnight partner support where the mother requests it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44915/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 366, 367, 368 and 369 together.
As the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Research and Development
Questions (370)
John Connolly
Question:370. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the Government’s position on introducing a statutory secondary publication right for publicly funded research outputs (details supplied); if he has considered the draft legislation proposed under the National Open Research Forum (NORF) SCOIR project; if he will provide a timeline for any proposed legislative action in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44749/26]
View answerWritten answers
I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. At the outset, I would wish to clarify that the SCOIR project recommendation does not propose the creation of a secondary publication right. Instead, it calls for a mandatory requirement for employers of researchers and self-employed researchers, to publish publicly funded research in an open repository, subject to certain exceptions. In my view introducing a mandatory legal obligation, rather than a secondary right, is an approach requiring further consideration.
The recently published EU analysis of options for improving access and reuse of publicly funded research showed that the introduction of a secondary publication right alone, has not led to increased green open access. The Commission has recently published a call for evidence on this and broader IP issues, which has been circulated to stakeholders.
My officials are working with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in relation to the options suggested by the Commission, including potentially introducing a harmonised secondary publication right across the EU, layered with other measures to help boost its effectiveness. It is understood that the Commission will also bring forward a proposal for consideration by Member States early next year.
In the meantime, my Department has funded the Irish Research eLibrary’s open access (transformative) publishing agreements, which have been instrumental in increasing access to research and in decreasing the costs of publishing. My officials are also supporting the work of the National Open Research Forum and the implementation of the National Action Plan for Open Research.
Third Level Education
Questions (371, 372)
Liam Quaide
Question:371. 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 and options were considered as part of the merger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44847/26]
View answerLiam Quaide
Question:372. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher 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 make a statement on the matter. [44848/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together.
I thank the Deputy for his questions regarding the announcement of the winding down of academic activities at Carlow College. To set the matter in its full context, I will take the Deputy's questions together.
The framework announced on 19 May is a result of extensive and detailed engagement between Carlow College St. Patrick’s and South East Technological University (SETU), in consultation with my department.
At the outset, it is important to recognise that Carlow College is, and has always been, a privately owned and autonomous church-operated institution outside the State system. The arrangements recently announced have been necessitated by the College’s financial position, which has become increasingly unsustainable in recent years and ultimately led it to seek Government assistance.
By the end of 2024, it was clear that, without Government intervention, the College faced the very real prospect of ceasing operations. This would have had serious consequences for students, staff, and the future of higher education infrastructure in the region. It is also important to note that my Department has already provided more than €2.5 million in additional supports to Carlow College at its request, over and above funding provided through student supports and fee payments. This support was provided because protecting learners and sustaining higher education provision in Carlow remain overriding priorities for both my Department and the Government.
In the light of that extensive engagement and the due diligence reporting received in early 2026, the two institutions worked collaboratively to identify their preferred arrangements and advanced a framework agreement which was approved by their respective governing bodies.
This engagement has been guided by four primary objectives:
• to protect the interests of Carlow College students to ensure the completion of their programmes;
• to ensure clear, fair and transparent treatment of staff;
• to secure the future educational use of the campus in Carlow town;
• and to protect the heritage and legacy of Carlow College, recognising its contribution to education in the South East over many generations.
The overriding priority in this framework is to ensure that all current Carlow College students will be able to complete their studies and graduate as planned, without disadvantage. This is the central principle guiding the agreed approach, which provides for the delivery of all existing programmes through to their completion in August 2028.
During the teach-out period, Carlow College will remain the sole provider of academic delivery, retaining full responsibility for both its staffing matters and academic governance. As a private institution operating outside the publicly funded system, it will continue to retain its autonomy regarding all staff relations and employment matters.
Respect for the autonomy of both Carlow College and SETU has been a consistent principle throughout this engagement process. Given the status of Carlow College as private employer, outside the publicly funded system, it is recognised that neither my Department nor the Higher Education Authority have a role to play in decisions relating to staffing or employment matters at Carlow College. Similarly, with regard to the publicly-funded sector, which includes SETU, it is a key feature of our higher education system that higher education institutions are autonomous, which of course includes their approach to staffing and recruitment.
With regard to the staff of Carlow College, it is important to emphasise that, throughout this engagement, I have consistently highlighted the need for Carlow College, as an independent and private institution outside the public system, to prioritise meaningful staff engagement. This position was formally communicated in writing, and I was assured that such engagement was taking place.
It is also important to note that a significant level of State funding will be provided through the Department to Carlow College in consideration of the transfer of its campus to SETU. It is fully expected that this funding will play a central role in the restructuring process, particularly in addressing matters relating to staff. These issues will be progressed appropriately through representative bodies and trade unions. It is my understanding that formal discussions with staff and staff representatives have been commenced by Carlow College and that a detailed plan for the phased teach out period is being progressed.
It is a key policy objective of my Department to support sustained, regional investment in higher education provision and allow for strong access to high-quality education in all regions of Ireland. The decisions made by Carlow College St. Patrick’s and SETU in developing this framework support that objective. As a publicly funded university operating under the oversight and governance of the Higher Education Authority, SETU is well placed to deepen its presence in the region and continue its contribution to the development of a truly world-class higher education system.
Library Services
Questions (373)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:373. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the provision of a library in Mahon, Cork city; the stage it is currently at; and the funding avenues that are open for such projects. [44706/26]
View answerWritten answers
The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities, in their capacity as library authorities, under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Mahon, is primarily a matter for Cork City Council.
My Department requires that all public library proposals go through a bespoke Four Stage Capital Management Process to ensure alignment with public policy objectives regarding the requirements for funding and implementing library capital projects. Proposed projects are also required to comply with the Public Library Standards and Benchmarks.
Cork City Council submitted a Stage 1 Approval in Principle application for a library project in Mahon to my Department in Q4 2024. My Department issued Stage 1 approval to Cork City Council in May 2025. This approval did not constitute an allocation of funding for the project.
As you will be aware, the Libraries Capital Programme for the period 2023-2027 was announced in April 2024. I am advised that Cork City Council did not submit a proposal for a library project in Mahon at that time and the programme is now fully committed. However, my Department will be developing a successor Libraries Capital Programme prior to the completion of the 2023-2027 programme, and all Local Authorities will be advised to submit their applications in due course.
Departmental Funding
Questions (374)
Donna McGettigan
Question:374. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if the level of funding provided by his Department to pay employees of family resource centres, community centres and so on, is below the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44760/26]
View answerWritten answers
The funding of Family Resource Centres is a matter for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
You may be aware that my Department’s Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports the delivery of 453 services nationally via 434 community organisations through a social enterprise model. The CSP Programme aims to tackle disadvantage by providing a co-funding contribution towards the cost of employing a manager, where approved, and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. It provides funding to community organisations rather than individuals. The CSP Programme currently provides funding towards the employment of 1,723 FTE posts and 354 manager positions, with an allocation of €59.4 million for 2026.
The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and is not intended to meet the full salary cost of supported posts. Each organisation, as an employer, is required to generate income to fully meet wage costs in order to comply with employment legislation, and to cover all other operating costs involved in running the organisation. This approach is central to operating on a social enterprise model and is a key feature of the CSP Programme.
Notwithstanding the above, my Department provided funding increases in each of the past three years, to a significant number of CSP-funded organisations, in recognition of the increased costs of employment.
As is standard practice, my Department continues to monitor the various aspects of the CSP Programme in order to identify emerging challenges and, where possible, changes have been applied to address these challenges.