Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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177. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 2 December 2020, if he will provide clarification regarding his policy in relation to university teaching assistants being separated into two separate roles which are paid different hourly wages but are required to do the same work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42386/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The matters referred to by the Deputy are employment issues for the Dublin City University, rather than Departmental policy matters, as the University has autonomy with regard to its HR function.  

The terms of employment for employees of universities are a matter for the employing institutions and HR policies vary in line with the size, structure, culture and work of an institution, which will be reflected in the HR strategies and approaches applied. 

Where issues such as this arise, individual employees, in Higher Education Institutions, with queries on employment matters should be directed to their employer and union where appropriate.  I would very much encourage the use of the structures available either with the employer or with the Department to address matters relating to industrial relations or terms and conditions, which include fora for unions representing a wide range of staff.