The Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, is making his way back from Strasbourg and he should be joining us shortly. I will take some of the priority questions in his absence but he will be here later in Question Time. As the Deputy will be aware, on 27 April 2026 Covalen informed its employees of its intention to reduce its workforce. Covalen is a Dublin-based provider of customer experience, business process outsourcing and managed services, headquartered in Sandyford. The company provides services across customer support, operations and content moderation. Covalen forms part of the Cpl Group, an international talent solutions and outsourcing provider headquartered in Dublin, operating across multiple markets and sectors. The company operates within a global outsourcing model where activity levels are aligned to client demand. My understanding is that the company has been impacted by a shift in client demand, resulting in a reduction in the volume of services required and a requirement to adjust operations accordingly. My foremost concern, and that of the Government, is the potentially impacted employees and their families during this uncertain time. IDA Ireland has established internal processes for managing potential job loss situations with its client companies. This involves proactive engagement with site leadership of the company and its parent company to explore options to avoid or minimise any job losses. In respect of impacted employees, IDA is proactively engaging across its client base to identify potential redeployment opportunities where there is a skills match. IDA has also facilitated connections between interested companies and company representatives, and this work is ongoing. IDA has been engaging at a senior level with the company to ensure it is aware of the full range of IDA supports available at this time. IDA remains in contact with the company regarding recent developments.

Sentiment score: 0.15

As I said earlier, my first and overriding concern in this situation is for the workers affected and their families who are facing a very uncertain time. IDA has been very active and proactive in its engagements at senior level with this company. That is very much with the clear focus of exploring all options to minimise job losses and also support the business through this transition. At the same time, IDA Ireland is working intensively to support the impacted employees. As with any redundancies, the industrial relations mechanisms of the State step in. Inevitably, there is a process that both the Government and the company have to abide by. In these situations, we certainly do not stand back. We are eager to engage early. We are eager to engage and support workers directly. We want to work with them to secure alternative employment wherever possible.

Sentiment score: 0.32

I thank the Deputy for his question. It is essential that any redundancy process is co-ordinated fairly, transparently and in full compliance with the law. Ireland has a strong, robust legal framework in place to protect workers experiencing redundancy. That includes a 30-day consultation process in the case of collective redundancies. There are clear obligations required on Covalen in this regard to engage meaningfully with employee representatives. Indeed, any statutory redundancy entitlements and notice protections need to be enacted. That consultation is not just a tick-the-box exercise. It needs to be genuine, meaningful and focused on mitigating job losses wherever possible. That is where our focus is currently, along with raising concerns with regard to any issues that may arise. We will continue to work with the IDA and Covalen.

Sentiment score: 0.21

I thank the Deputy for her question. Enhancing online safety, particularly for children and young people, is a whole-of-government priority. I recognise the important work of the committee, particularly the engagement with stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds who informed the committee's recent report, which is an invaluable aid to understanding how online safety and participation can be improved. In considering the committee's report, it is important to note the significant body of legislation already in place that provides the foundation for Ireland's online safety framework, including the regulation of online platforms. In Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán is firmly established at the heart of the online safety framework, which comprises the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, the EU Digital Services Act, DSA, and the EU terrorist content online regulation. In particular, the EU Digital Services Act contains provisions that specifically address recommender systems. Platforms must explain in plain language the main parameters their systems use to suggest content to users and provide options for users to change or influence these parameters. Additionally, very large online platforms and search engines that use recommender systems must allow users, including minors, the option to use recommender systems that do not rely on profiling. Providers of online platforms are obliged to put in place measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security of minors on their services, including a ban on adverts based on profiling, where the user is a minor. These online platforms and engines must also conduct a yearly assessment to identify and mitigate potential system risks associated with the design of their recommender algorithms. I know the committee's report recognises the sound foundations that are provided by the DSA and the online safety code. It also notes the investigations under the DSA that have been taken by Coimisiún na Meán. Additional information not given on the floor of the House The European Commission also has investigations ongoing into the use of recommender algorithms by a number of online platforms. This is EU regulation in action. The recently published National Digital and AI Strategy 2030 contains measures that further reinforce the Government's commitment to enhancing online safety as a whole-system priority. In this context, the EU audio visual media services directive, which is the basis for Ireland's online safety code, is currently being evaluated and further measures are likely to be proposed at European level. Online safety is under the remit of the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Deputy O'Donovan. His Department is currently assessing the ten recommendations set out in the committee's report, with a view to identifying and engaging the various Departments that will have a role in considering next steps. My officials will work closely with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport in that regard.

Sentiment score: 0.27

I thank the Deputy for raising these concerns. I understand the concerns being raised and the impact recommender algorithms have on children. They are valid. Certainly, the Government takes the matter seriously. This is not simple. While it might sound straightforward to just ban recommender systems in theory, it needs to be evidence-based. There are also risks of unintended consequences. Having been a member of the media committee and having listened to many of the social media platforms, I am aware that recommender systems also form part of the solution. They do not just amplify harmful content. They are used as filters and to prioritise safety signals. They also reduce exposure to illegal and harmful material. Through the Digital Services Act, we are focused on platforms reducing the risks with these algorithms and ensuring that we have continuous enforcement. The DSA has measures in place that are currently in existence and legislated for. They need to be enacted. That is the responsibility of the European Commission, along with Coimisiún na Meán.

Sentiment score: 0.02

A lot of work is being undertaken in our engagement with social media platforms. That includes age verification and working hand in hand with the European Commission. Coimisiún na Meán is central to the enforcement role. We have seen many investigations in recent times. I believe we need to focus on a more co-ordinated approach through European regulation. These are many global platforms that have a global reach. Ireland alone cannot take a central role. We have to work with our partners to try to alleviate this. Work is under way in many ways to protect minors and children. The issue of restricting social media for under 16s will be debated in this House and I believe we need to put protections in place. I agree with the Deputy that algorithms are central to that.

Sentiment score: 0.12