Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

566. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if SOLAS has fully funded education and training boards to provide for the regularisation of tutors employed in its adult, community and further education settings as envisaged under information note ESR ETB 0001/2024, issued by his Department in April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38853/24]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, a new grade of Adult Educator, with a standardised pay scale aligned to the Youthreach Resource Personnel Scale, was formally established earlier this year. Existing tutors, some 2,800, have the option of assimilating to the new incremental pay scale, with effect from 1st April 2023, or remaining on their current terms and conditions.

The Education and Training Boards (ETBs) were notified of the implementation arrangements in April 2024 and are currently overseeing the process of offering the choice to existing tutors, with a view to new contracts being in place within the current academic year. My officials have been informed by ETBI that the Adult Education process has required some changes to the payroll systems. These changes are currently being finalised. In addition, there is also a need to schedule the associated work within some ETBs, which will result in the conversion process for some ETBs taking place in January 2025, which is the latest date for implementation.

A small allocation was provided in Budget 2024 for the commencement of the conversion process. However, the ETBs must implement the conversion process in order to establish the actual full cost once the number of tutors assimilating to the new grade is confirmed.