Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to speak about the protest I attended yesterday outside the gates of Leinster House. It was organised by adult education tutors. They were highlighting the fact that almost three years after the Labour Court recommended in March 2020 that they be given proper employment contracts, it has yet to happen, unfortunately. Three years is a long time. In July 2022, the adult education tutors were told they would receive an offer by September, but they did not receive one. The delay seems to be coming from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I do not know whether people understand the amazing work tutors do. They are public servants and are employed by education and training boards across the country. Despite this, they are paid hourly and get absolutely no holiday pay.During breaks in the educational calendar, like this week, they receive nothing and have to rely on social welfare payments. If classes are cancelled for some reason, they are paid for a single hour, despite the work they have put into preparing for them. Their income is precarious, which means they are constantly worried about money and are unable to plan financially. It is an anxious time for them. Yesterday, we met a lovely woman who had to leave her job because she could not afford to live on the salary she was being paid. It is her vocation and she loves it, but she had to leave. She wants to return to her job.

Those to whom I refer are fighting for a public service contract that reflects their valuable contribution to society. This includes an incremental pay scheme that rewards the years of service that these dedicated educators provide. The years they spend working in the ad hocand precarious status quomust be included when tutors finally get contracts. Ignoring years of committed work is completely and utterly unfair. They are seeking pay parity for tutors recruited since 2011. These are reasonable requests from the population of workers that I believe has been undervalued and disrespected.

I call for a debate on the issue. I would like the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, to address the House on the reasons behind the delays and missed deadlines in the Government's offer to adult education. The workers are concerned and worried. All they want is an answer and some kind of communication from the Department as to what the delay is. The woman we met yesterday is pregnant. She devastated that she had to leave her job. I would like a debate on the matter.