Adult Education Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 May 2023

Wednesday, 10 May 2023

Questions (211, 212)

Martin Browne

Question:

211. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made in resolving the situation of adult education tutors employed by education and training boards for whom a pay offer based on a recommendation by the Labour Court has yet to materialise; if there is a working timeline for the conclusion of discussions between his Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with a view to finalising the offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22052/23]

Martin Browne

Question:

212. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline his commitment to ensuring that adult education tutors claim for proper public service contracts with an incremental salary scale, recognition of prior service and improved conditions is delivered upon; the progress being made on same and on securing pay parity for those recruited after 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22053/23]

Written answers

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

The discussions between my Department, the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform resulted in the approval for an offer to be made to the unions regarding adult education tutors employed by ETBs, under a variety of terms and conditions, in response to a Labour Court recommendation.

 The proposal is to establish a grade of Adult Educator with a standardised pay scale aligned with the Youthreach Resource Person Scale, providing for a career path for tutors in the further education and training sector.  The proposal offers improvement in the pay of tutors through an immediate increase in current pay rates as well as allowing for incremental progression on a pay scale over time. The formal offer has issued to the Unions and both sides are engaging on the details and operational aspects of the offer.