Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1321. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when issues will be resolved in relation to contracts for education providers (details supplied); if he will ensure an early resolution of the outstanding issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44872/24]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, a new grade of Adult Educator with a standardised incremental pay-scale, aligned to the Youthreach Resource Personnel Scale, was formally established in April. The Education and Training Boards were advised in April on the formal arrangements for the establishment of this grade. 2,800 existing tutors across the country were given the option of moving to the new pay-scale, with effect from 1st April 2023, or remaining on their current contracts.

The implementation process is complex including changes to payroll systems where the new terms and conditions are being adopted. My Department has been informed by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) that this work is near completion and the conversion process should take place in January 2025 at the latest.

This process itself is no reason for deferring classes and tutors can continue to work on previous contracts until the process has been completed.