Education and Training Boards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023

Tuesday, 25 April 2023

Questions (639)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

639. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) in respect of personal assistants in ETBs and their long-term working conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19103/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Niall Collins)

Where an Education and Training Board (ETB) or PLC college employs personal assistants to provide services under the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD), responsibility for the terms of employment rests with the individual ETB/ Further Education College. The Strategic Performance Agreements for 2022-24 agreed between SOLAS and the individual ETBs provide for the rolling out of the FSD across all FET provision. SOLAS has advised the Department that it will be reviewing the learner supports and associated guidelines and my Department has requested SOLAS to examine the provision of personal assistant services as part of its review.