Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
613. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by adult education tutors in relation to contract proposals published by his Department in May 2023; if he is committed to engaging with this sector on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49377/23]
View answerFollowing 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.
