An Taoiseach Micheál Martin Launches Crann Centre Research Strategy in Partnership with University College Cork

29 Apr 2026

The Crann Centre today welcomed An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD to formally launch its new Research Strategy, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s mission to transform disability services through evidence-based, family-centred innovation.

The Crann Centre today welcomed An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD to formally launch its new Research Strategy, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s mission to transform disability services through evidence-based, family-centred innovation.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: "Crann’s Research Strategy reflects a strong commitment to evidence‑based innovation to support families living with disability. The collaboration with University College Cork brings academic rigour to this work, ensuring that Crann’s whole‑family approach is underpinned by robust research that can inform policy and practice."

The launch was attended by Kate Jarvey, Founder of the Crann Centre, and Professor John O’Halloran, President of University College Cork (UCC), highlighting the strength of the strategic partnership between community-based services and academic research.

The Research Strategy, led by Dr. Alice Moore, Crann Research and Impact Lead, formalises Crann’s commitment to generating robust evidence to validate, strengthen and scale its pioneering 2 Generation whole-family Model of Care. This first-of-its-kind approach within disability services addresses the interconnected needs of children, adults and families living with disability through a whole-family, two-generation framework.

Speaking at the launch, Kate Jarvey, Founder of the Crann Centre, said: "This Research Strategy is about making the invisible visible. The attendance of An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, here today reflects the importance of this work, and we value his support. Through our partnership with UCC, we are ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of families are translated into robust evidence that can drive meaningful and lasting change."

The strategy has been co-designed with people with lived and living experience of disability, alongside professional and academic experts, reflecting the core principle of “nothing about us without us.” This commitment is embedded through Crann’s Living Lab, which enables ongoing co-design, testing and refinement of supports in real-world settings involving families, practitioners and researchers.

Reflecting the importance of the lived experience, Ronan Palmer, parent of a Crann client and Chair of the Research Advisory Board, commented: "By working alongside the disabled clients and their families, Crann’s research makes a real contribution to changing our lived experience for the better."

Underpinning the strategy is a formal community–academic partnership between the Crann Centre and University College Cork, ensuring academic rigour is combined with practice-based insight and lived experience to generate meaningful and credible evidence.

Speaking about the partnership, Professor John O’Halloran, President of UCC, said: "UCC and The Crann Centre share a common vision that underpins a culture where everyone has a place and no one is left behind. Our unique partnership places Cork at the heart of holistic, inclusive and engaged research that makes a real difference in people’s lives. We welcome this new Research Strategy which provides a framework for collaboratively developing evidence to inform policy that shifts systems and benefits populations worldwide – a local activity with a global impact."

Current analysis indicates a social return of €3.68 for every euro invested in key Crann services, with the Research Strategy providing the mechanism to further evidence, understand and expand this impact.