Carlow College St Patrick’s insists engagement with its staff is ongoing amid the plan for it to join with the South East Technological University (SETU).
It follows an interview on The KCLR Daily yesterday with a lecturer at the facility who told how he was ‘gutted and gobsmacked’ to learn the third-level facility is to close in the next two years with plans for its educational provisions to fall under the SETU banner, as was confirmed earlier this month.
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In response a spokesperson issued the following;
“Carlow College, St. Patrick’s would like to acknowledge that the recent announcement regarding the future of the College has come as a significant disappointment to staff. This was recognised at the outset, and we understand the strength of feeling expressed by colleagues following the briefing.
Given the scale and immediacy of the announcement, we felt it was necessary to provide staff first with a clear and consistent set of information. While questions were not taken during the initial briefing, staff were directed to a detailed FAQ resource designed to address the most immediate concerns and ensure accurate information was available to everyone at the same time, including those staff who were not present.
We want to emphasise that engagement with staff is ongoing. Following the announcement, meetings were held with Programme Directors, Line Managers and Senior Staff to gather questions, provide clarity; and support colleagues through this transition – this engagement will continue. These channels are specifically in place to ensure that staff concerns are heard and addressed in a structured and supportive way.
It is important that we pay tribute to our dedicated staff. Their commitment extends far beyond roles and responsibilities – it is personal, heartfelt, and deeply rooted in a belief in our students’ potential. That is what makes the Carlow College community so unique. The impact of this announcement on our staff cannot be understated.
Consultation meetings will be held over the coming months with an enhanced redundancy package available. A range of supports, including wellbeing and outplacement services, are in place to assist staff throughout this period.
Further engagement is continuing with all stakeholders to ensure clarity and continuity as arrangements progress.”
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