Adult Education Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Questions (590, 607)

David Cullinane

Question:

590. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has acted on the Labour Court recommendation on regularisation of the terms and conditions for adult literacy teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23609/21]

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

607. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the adult literacy strategy will include plans to improve the terms of employment of adult literacy tutors that have an outstanding Labour Court recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24163/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The 10 year adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy will take a whole-of-government approach and provide a framework to support individuals to improve their literacy, numeracy and digital literacy. This new strategy will provide a framework to build on and streamline the substantial work that is already being done across a range of Government departments, state agencies and wider stakeholder groups, to increase awareness of services for the public and to capture the contribution that can be made right across Government to deliver better literacy, numeracy and digital literacy in the adult population.

The Labour Court has made a recommendation in relation to a claim brought by SIPTU and TUI in respect of regularising the terms and conditions of Adult Education Tutors employed by Education and Training Boards which has been under consideration by officials in my Department, the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The recently ratified Public Service Agreement, Building Momentum, contains a mechanism to address outstanding adjudications, commitments, recommendations awards and claims within the terms of the quantum of the Sectoral Bargaining Fund available for agreed Sectoral Bargaining Units. My Department and officials from the Department of Education are engaging with the relevant unions to establish their sectoral bargaining priorities.