A range of industrial relations issues pertaining to adult education tutors have been under discussion for several years under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills preceding the establishment of my Department.
Notwithstanding this progress, the claim to align tutors to a pay scale of an existing grade ineducation and training boards (ETBs) currently remains unresolved. The Labour Court recommended in 2020 that the official side identify the scale of cost it was prepared or able to absorb and make an offer within those parameters given the constraints applying under FEMPI legislation and the Public ServiceStability Agreement (PSSA) in relation to cost-increasing claims.
This recommendation was made in March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic and consequently theDepartment's ability and capacity to develop a full response and engage on the issue was constrained by pressure of work arising from the public health emergency and the establishment of the Department during that period at which time responsibility for the claim transferred.
The Sectoral Bargaining Fund under Building Momentum is to deal with outstanding issues within the terms of the Fund and within the Exchequer funding limit in place. As the Department of Education leads negotiations for the ETB sector, my Department is liaising with it and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to finalising the official position at the earliest opportunity. An assessment of the costs involved in any alignment to a pay scale is being undertaken as part of this work. Officials met with TUI and SIPTU representatives yesterday and it was agreed that a Working Group would be established to assist in that work.
Arising from the work of the group, I expect that my Department will in a position make a proposal to staff representatives in the coming weeks with a view to resolving this issue.
I will keep the Deputy updated on progress in relation to seeking to resolve this claim.
Questions Nos. 109 and 110 answered orally.
