Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2021
179. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will carry out a salary review for local training initiative co-ordinators, given that one has not been completed since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54820/21]
View answer180. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure job security for local training initiative co-ordinators, given there is no job security in this area from one year to the next and employees in the sector find this very difficult, especially those who would like to apply for a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54821/21]
View answer181. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether it is acceptable that local training initiative co-ordinators are left unemployed for approximately eight weeks of the year and do not receive holiday pay during this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54822/21]
View answer182. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to introduce contributory pension entitlements for local training initiative co-ordinators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54823/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 182, inclusive, together.
The Local Training Initiative (LTI) programme is a project-based training and work experience programme carried out in the local community run by local community groups and associations. Staff delivering courses are typically employed by the relevant community group or association and the terms and conditions approved for Local Training Initiative (LTI) co-ordinators is a matter for their employers.
In March 2002, the Labour Court recommended that LTI Community Training Co-ordinators should receive an increase in pay and that the total grant paid to project sponsors for co-ordinator pay should be increased by 20%, with sponsors being advised that the total increased grant, less employers PRSI, should be paid to co-ordinators. The recommendation also stated that for future pay increases, the co-ordinators should have a pay relationship with and be ‘linked proportionally’ to Community Training Centre (CTC) Managers. Any benefit to the co-ordinators arising from the pay relationship should be paid in accordance with the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, which was in place at the time.
Since then, LTI Community Training Co-ordinators have received increases under national agreements, in line with CTC Managers. The salary increases arising from the implementation of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 – 2020 provided for the restoration of pay which was reduced as a result of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts (FEMPI). Neither CTC Managers nor LTI Co-ordinators were covered by the Public Service Stability Agreement as they are not public servants and did not have their pay reduced under FEMPI.
SOLAS has submitted a pay increase proposal under Building Momentum 2021-2022, for CTC Managers and LTI Co-ordinators to my Department which is currently being examined.
