Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
327. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether or not between the years 1994 to 2005, adult education officers were classed as teachers or otherwise, the number of hours per week such adult education officers were expected to work during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28732/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen first introduced in 1979, a candidate applying to be an Adult Education Officer (then known as Adult Education Organiser) would have been required to have a post-primary teaching qualification and the pay and other conditions for the role were aligned to that of a teacher. However, the post was not a teaching role and the duties included functions such as organising the programme of adult education for the area, identifying the need for adult education services and reviewing the existing provision.
Under the PCW Pay Agreement, new entrants from 1996 to the AEO grade were assimilated to a new specific salary scale. On assimilation to that scale AEOs appointed prior to the PCW Agreement could retain, on a personal basis, their existing annual leave and sick leave arrangements and were contracted to work a minimum of 30 hours per week. Newly appointed AEOs were required to work the same weekly working hours as applied to administrative grades in VECs and had 29 days annual leave and general civil service sick leave entitlements. Their attendance was required during normal VEC office hours and at such other times as necessary for the delivery of the adult education service.
In 2016, the qualification, experience and eligibility requirements appropriate to the post of the Adult Education Officer were revised to include having management experience at an appropriate senior level and having relevant experience in the leadership of teaching or learning or training in adult education or further education or training or community or voluntary sectors among other competencies. While no specific qualification is required, it is stated that a third level qualification in relevant discipline(s) commensurate with this role would be a decided advantage.
