Following negotiations between my department, the Department of Education, which has regulatory responsibility for the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) a proposal was accepted by relevant Unions to create a new grade of adult educator, with a standardised pay scale. This grade will apply to tutors employed in ETBs who deliver further education and training (FET) programmes, who are currently employed under a variety of terms and conditions.
This proposal has been accepted by the unions and work is underway to support implementation of the proposal. Existing staff working as adult education tutors in ETBs will have the option of availing of the new arrangements and assimilating onto the new salary scale or remaining on their current terms and conditions.
The understanding is that the situation would be unchanged for tutors who remain on current terms and conditions, but ultimately eligibility for all Department of Social Protection (DSP) payments depends on personal circumstances and is a matter for that Department.
