Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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1015. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if SOLAS is in receipt of sufficient funding from the State to ensure adult education teachers can retain employment and do not lose hours and that adult learners access to education is not impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38793/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Adult education and adult education tutors play an important role in empowering individuals, broadening access to learning, and in strengthening communities.

After many years of work through the established IR mechanisms by my Department with the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), and SIPTU and TUI, the new grade of Adult Educator was established in April 2024. This grade was developed in response to a claim by Adult Education Tutors and within the parameters of a Labour Court recommendation, which acknowledged that, because of differences in the roles, qualifications and regulatory frameworks, any adult educator tutor grade could not involve alignment with teachers’ pay scales and terms of employment. It is optional for tutors whether they convert to the new grade or remain on existing terms. It is anticipated that over half of tutors will convert to the new grade.

ETBs are currently overseeing the implementation process which is complex. Several documents prepared by ETBI including a contract template developed in agreement with the unions, instruct ETBs on how to implement the grade. In May an email was issued to ETB CEOs noting my concern about the delays and instructing them to complete as a matter of priority. ETBI have confirmed that all ETBs envisage they will have completed the process by late 2025/early 2026. My Department has received several correspondences and PQs in relation to the new grade, which demonstrate confusion/misunderstanding around the more complex aspects of the grade. Officials, with SOLAS, ETBI and the ETBs are currently working together to clarify such issues and complete the conversion process.

A proportion of FET delivery staff are employed on fixed term contracts. This ensures an agile FET system with an ability to be responsive to dynamic local education, training and community needs. Such staff, and their contracts and hours, are managed within the parameters of employment law including the Fixed Term Workers Act 2003. Individual ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for staffing matters with Ministerial consents and approvals as may be determined from time to time.

Turning to the question of funding, I can confirm that there have been no cuts to my Department’s funding for FET. My Department has substantially increased its investment in SOLAS and the FET sector by 37% since 2020 with an allocation of over €1 billion in 2025. As independent statutory bodies, the allocation and management of this funding to different FET programmes within ETBs, and the timetabling of courses, is a matter for the ETB in light of local needs and agreed budget. As Minister, I have no function in relation to these operational matters.