Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 261: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Question No. 604 of 22 March 2005, if her attention has been drawn to the fact that circular PPT 17/04 from her Department to VECs refers only to qualified teachers; if teachers working in the adult education service who are not qualified teachers will receive their right to equality of remuneration and conditions of service for equal work under the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11478/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 provides that a part-time employee has a pro rata entitlement to the pay and conditions of employment of a comparable full-time employee.

Circular letter 17/04 refers to the revision of rates of pay for qualified part-time teachers employed by vocational education committees. The revised rates of pay are in accordance with a collective agreement reached in respect of fully qualified part-time teachers and are pro rata the rates of pay of a fully qualified full-time teacher. The collective agreement has been approved by the Labour Court under the relevant provisions of the legislation. The terms of the circular letter do not apply to unqualified teachers employed by VECs. Such teachers are paid a rate of pay which reflects their status as unqualified teachers.