Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
551. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if adult education tutors employed by ETBs other than BTEI adult educators are included in the salary increases indicated in Circular 0015/2022 under Building Momentum. [15347/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of tutors delivering further education and training are paid a rate aligned to a teacher hourly rate of pay and the Building Momentum pay increases were applied to that rate by relevant circulars.
It recently came to light that some ETBs paid tutors on other rates aligned to rates under the ‘self-financing’ adult education programme. As these rates did not increase under Building Momentum, such tutors had not received increases. Circular 0032/2024, which was published on 27 March 2024, takes account of the revision of pay rate for tutors delivering adult education that are currently being paid on these ‘self-financing’ rates of pay. The circular provides for a revised pay rate taking account of increases arising under Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2023 and includes arrears to the appropriate points in time.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and my Department, which has regulatory responsibility for the ETB sector, issued a proposal to establish a new grade of adult educator, with a standardised pay scale 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. This proposal has been accepted by staff representatives and steps will be now be taken 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 provision of a pay scale will allow for incremental progression and a career path for Tutors in the further education and training sector.
