New Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton has denied that the new cabinet makeup reflects a lack of experience at the highest level of Irish government.
The Galway West TD joined Shane and Ciara on Newstalk Breakfast to discuss her new role.
“I’m looking forward to getting into my own brief here in the Department of Education and Youth and hitting the ground running,” she said.
When it was put to her that some of the newly appointed ministers within her party were seen as relatively “inexperienced” - including Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Peter Burke - the Minister maintains they bring experience from prior jobs.
Hildegarde Naughton
“From a Fine Gael point of view, we have a wealth of talent in our parliamentary party,” she said.
The Galway native also commented on Simon Harris’s appointment as Minister for Finance, saying he has a “huge amount of experience” in the budgetary process.
She added that he is the “most experienced of all Fine Gael colleagues in the cabinet” and is “right for the role” during this geopolitical landscape.
Reflecting on the departure of a former Fine Gael member, Paschal Donohoe, Naughton said he will be “sadly missed.”
“He has been a fantastic public servant,” she stated.
She remarked on the challenges Donohoe faced during his time as Minister for Finance:
“He has navigated us through Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and through that period of global economic uncertainty.”
HIQA findings on recent Tusla report
The former Minister for Children with responsibility for disability, was also questioned on the most recent report from Tusla on the findings made by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) regarding its child protection and welfare service in Dublin's north city.
HIQA found that by June 2025, significant risks highlighted in 2024 remained unaddressed, leaving some of the area’s most vulnerable children without the support needed.
The report also noted that two children endured weeks-long waits from the service, despite allegations of physical abuse
The Minister for Education told Shane that those HIQA findings have “escalated within the department.”
“Tusla have also submitted an action plan to address all the areas outlined to ensure that these matters are addressed.”
Naughton admitted that while the current timelines are unsatisfactory, measures are already being introduced to address the issues within the cabinet, and that Minister Norma Foley is also actively addressing the issue.
Written by Annemarie Roberts.
