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Adult Education Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022

Tuesday, 28 June 2022

Ceisteanna (675, 676, 677, 678)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

675. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action that his Department is taking to address the failure of many education and training boards to keep contracts of indefinite duration and pensions up-to-date of adult education tutors considering many have contracts of indefinite duration dating back to 2015; the action that is being taken to ensure that all tutors who are entitled to contracts of indefinite duration receive them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34383/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Colm Burke

Ceist:

676. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all adult education tutors receive the same salary with pension and sick pay entitlements no matter what area of the country they are working in; if the increase which is awarded to staff as set out in circular letter 0052/2021 will also apply to all of these employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34384/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Colm Burke

Ceist:

677. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action that will be taken to ensure that the rate of pay for adult educator tutors in the Cork Education and Training Board is in line with the rates paid in other education and training boards; if consideration will be given to include increments for qualifications or prior service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34385/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Colm Burke

Ceist:

678. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all adult education tutors will be entitled to receive holiday pay in the same way as all other employees of the education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34386/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 675, 676, 677 and 678 together.

The 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) employ Tutors to deliver various Adult, Community and Further Education programmes.  Tutors are typically employed on a part-time basis and are generally paid at the unqualified teacher rates. These are €43.36 per hour for Pre-2011 Entrants plus 8% Holiday Pay (paid thrice yearly), giving an overall total of €46.83 per hour and €39.02 per hour for 2011 entrants plus 8% Holiday Pay (paid thrice yearly), giving an overall total of €42.14 per hour. While these rates are those generally paid to tutors across the sector, I understand that there are some differences in the pay arrangements across the ETBs.    My officials are confirming the position regarding Cork ETB and I will advise the Deputy when this is confirmed.

A range of industrial relations issues pertaining to adult education tutors have been under discussion for several years under the aegis of the then Department of Education and Skills preceding the establishment of my Department.   Significant progress has been made in resolving key elements, which include, the issuing in 2017, of a Circular in relation to an agreement to a consistent formula or method of awarding Contracts of Indefinite Duration (CIDs) across ETBs.  Agreement was also reached in November 2019, in respect of access to leave schemes, paid leave and access to the appropriate public sector pension scheme.   This agreement did not include self-financing tutors (who are ineligible for public service pension scheme membership) or those tutors who were employed prior to 2008 and who previously turned down the option of joining the pension scheme.

It is the responsibility of ETBs to ensure the circulars are implemented. My Department will liaise with the Department of Education to follow up with any ETB not abiding by the conditions of awarding CIDs and welcomes any information the Deputy can provide regarding this matter.

The Department of Education has regulatory responsibility for the ETB Sector and has advised that the application of pay increases to retired staff of the ETB Sector is a matter for the NSSO.   Officials have advised that the application of increases in some instances are complex and were delayed due to restrictions imposed by the pandemic.    The Department of Education has established a working group to work with the Sector and the NSSO and expects that all relevant increases will be paid by the end of the year. 

The claim to align adult education tutors to a pay scale of an existing grade in ETBs remains unresolved. The Labour Court recommended in 2020 that the Department identify the scale of cost it was prepared or able to absorb and make an offer within those parameters given the constraints applying under FEMPI legislation and the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) in relation to cost-increasing claims.

My Department is liaising with the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to finalising the official position at the earliest opportunity. An assessment of the costs involved in any alignment to a pay scale is being undertaken as part of this work. Officials met with TUI and SIPTU representatives recently and it was agreed that a Working Group would be established to assist in that work.

Arising from the work of the group, I expect that my Department will in a position make a proposal to staff representatives in the coming weeks with a view to resolving this issue.

Question No. 676 answered with Question No. 675.
Question No. 677 answered with Question No. 675.
Question No. 678 answered with Question No. 675.
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