Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1373. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update in respect of the engagement between unions representing personal assistants in ETBs and his Department in relation to their long-term working conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27940/23]
View answerWhere 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 my 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. Officials in my Department met with FÓRSA representatives on 20th February and advised them that SOLAS were undertaking this review.
