Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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1020. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions he will take to address the uncertainty which has arisen in relation to the funding and employment conditions for adult education teachers (details supplied); the actions he will take to address the shortfalls in funding provided by SOLAS and his Department which has caused uncertainty as to whether many adult education teachers will return to their posts in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38885/25]

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 be aligned to 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.

Educational Sector Workers, including adult educators, who wish to avail of income support while temporarily being laid-off during centre closures can apply for jobseekers’ payments from the Department for Social Protection (DSP). Applicants must satisfy qualifying conditions to receive payment. DSP operates expedited processes for claims from such workers and should be contacted for further details.

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.

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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1021. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if HGV traineeships operated by ETBs will be funded and go ahead this year in light of a recent submission to the Oireachtas Transport Committee (details supplied); if this funding issue is due to a lack of funding of SOLAS by his Department or whether it is due to SOLAS failing to receive EU education funds in this area; if funding is secured for future years of this traineeship course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38886/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has substantially increased its investment in SOLAS, with current funding in 2025 representing a €310 million uplift compared to 2020. This amounts to a 37% increase.

In 2025, my Department allocated €1.152 billion to SOLAS, excluding capital, to deliver national priorities in apprenticeships, upskilling and reskilling initiatives, and literacy supports, in alignment with Government priorities.

The allocation of funding to individual Education and Training Boards (ETBs) is a matter for SOLAS, in line with its statutory remit under the Further Education and Training Act, 2013. As the statutory authority for Further Education and Training (FET), SOLAS is responsible for determining how funding is distributed across the FET sector. SOLAS have advised my officials that ETBs have planned some 1,150 places for certified HGV and Bus driver courses in 2025 as well as a large number of non-certified driver courses planned in 2025. As independent statutory bodies, the allocation and management of funding to different FET programmes, and the scheduling of courses, are matters for each individual ETB within their budget allocation.

In relation to EU funding, it is important to note that some programmes, including traineeships, are co-financed by both national and EU funding. The scheduling and delivery of these programmes are not dependent on the EU co-financing element, as the costs are initially covered by the national Exchequer and later recovered in arrears once successfully audited by the ESF Management Authority.

ESF co-funding works by the European Social Fund contributing a percentage of eligible programme costs, with the remaining portion covered by the national authorities. After project implementation, the Exchequer claims reimbursement from the ESF based on verified expenditure, ensuring that EU funds support but do not delay programme delivery.