Further and Higher Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023

Tuesday, 7 November 2023

Questions (1377, 1380, 1383, 1385, 1389, 1390, 1392, 1398, 1406, 1412, 1441)

Bríd Smith

Question:

1377. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he agrees that adult education tutors do the same work as their permanent colleagues in the Further Education and Training Sector and should therefore have the same terms and conditions; if he will clarify when his Department will award a contract that offers adult education tutors parity with their permanent co-workers to reflect the importance of the work they do in communities across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47274/23]

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

1380. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the ongoing work to align adult education tutors to a pay scale of an existing grade in education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47359/23]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

1383. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when hourly-paid adult education tutors with the ETB will receive parity with their full-time equivalent colleagues in relation to the terms and conditions for their employment, particularly in relation to a public service contract and access to an incremental salary scheme; what work he is undertaking to avoid further disputes with this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47461/23]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1385. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if adult education tutors will be included in the pay increment scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47484/23]

Michael Lowry

Question:

1389. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of discussions between his Department and the representatives of an organisation (details supplied) regarding its contract proposal; what steps are being taken to address the concerns raised by the organisation regarding the proposed contract; if he will take action to expedite the process of reaching a satisfactory contract agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47713/23]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1390. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by hourly-paid adult education tutors regarding pay and conditions (details supplied); whether his Department intends to give these tutors parity with their full-time counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47716/23]

Emer Higgins

Question:

1392. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that are being taken to ensure that adult education tutors receive a contract offering terms and conditions equivalent to their full-time counterparts in the further education and training sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47748/23]

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1398. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the contract proposals for hourly-paid adult education tutors. [47896/23]

Patrick Costello

Question:

1406. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on negotiations between his Department and unions on the issue of adult education tutors and their ability to access public service contracts and increments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47937/23]

Brendan Howlin

Question:

1412. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out the current position in relation to providing a public service contract and access to an incremental salary scale for tutors employed by ETBs on an hourly paid rate; the outcome of discussions his Department has had with trade union representatives on this issue; when an improved contract will be offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48189/23]

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1441. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his view on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48717/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1377, 1380, 1383, 1385, 1389, 1390, 1392, 1398, 1406, 1412 and 1441 together.

Following discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, approval for an offer to be made to the unions was agreed earlier this year. The proposal is that a grade of Adult Educator will be formally established with a standardised payscale aligned with the Youthreach Resource Person Scale. This grade will apply to tutors employed in ETBs to deliver FET programmes, who are currently employed under a variety of terms and conditions. The provision of a pay scale will allow for incremental progression and a career path for Tutors in the further education and training sector.

A number of meetings took place over the summer regarding the details and operational aspects of the offer. My Department, and the Department of Education which retains regulatory responsibility for the ETB sector, are considering the approaches suggested to a number of issues raised with a view to reverting to the unions as soon as possible.