Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Adult education tutors in education and training boards from across the State will protest outside the Dáil at lunchtime tomorrow. They want to know why the Government is making an offer that falls short of equality with other post-primary teachers. Why is the Government not offering equal pay for work of equal value? Teachers in this country progress up the pay scale based on years of service. Why is the Government offering the adult education tutors progress up the pay scale based on number of hours worked? Why is it defending or promoting a two-tier system?

James O'Keeffe of the adult education tutors organisation says that their employers consider them qualified to stand in front of classes and teach. They are doing the same work as others in the post-primary area who are better paid and they want parity with their permanent colleagues. I put it to the Taoiseach - is that not a fair demand?

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