Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking in respect of the back-to-education initiative, BTEI, conversion deal and the implementation of same in County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29459/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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A conversion process for staff employed in ETBs to deliver programmes under the BTEI was agreed between the Department of Education and Skills and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) in May 2016.

Under the process, BTEI staff affected will be given the option of converting to a Teacher (qualified or unqualified), an Adult Educator or to remain as is.  Following an analysis by the employing ETB, each employee will receive a letter setting out the personal implications for them in terms of working hours, salary and pension implications under each option, so that they can make an informed decision on which option they wish to choose.

This process is underway within ETBs and each individual ETB will manage the process on behalf of staff that are in its employ. The Department has recently written to all ETBs, including Cork ETB, providing additional financial supports to each ETB to deal with a number of issues including the BTEI conversion process.