John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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3368. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he will take to ensure that staff working in adult education are not reliant on social welfare during the summer months; the timeline for when these measures will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42217/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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In 2024, the new grade of adult educator was established, in agreement with SIPTU and TUI. This followed many years of work by my Department, with the Department of Education, the Department of Public Expenditure, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), and SIPTU and TUI.

This grade was established in response to a claim by tutors and the subsequent Labour Court recommendation. The recommendation specified that any new grade could not align with teachers due to differences in the roles, qualifications and regulatory frameworks for tutors and teachers.

It is open to tutors whether they convert to the grade or remain on their current terms.

Individual Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are the employers, responsible for staffing and related matters, subject to Ministerial consents and approvals from time-to-time.

Depending on the duration of a contract and whether someone opted for salary spread (those who work 37 weeks or more can opt for salary spread over 52 weeks), there will be instances where annual leave does not cover non-delivery periods/centre closures and workers will be temporarily laid off. This is the case for many categories of workers in education. Annual leave for adult educators is 35 days (pro-rated). Leave is used to reduce periods of layoff at traditional closure periods. It cannot be used during delivery periods.

Educational Support Workers, including adult educators, who wish to avail of income support while temporarily being laid-off can apply for jobseekers’ payments. Applicants must satisfy the qualifying conditions. Those who have previously been in contact with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) are issued with repeat jobseekers’ application and holiday entitlement forms in advance of college/school closures. This advance process expedites such workers’ claims. In recent years, DSP has resourced dedicated teams to work on Education Sector Workers’ claims to minimise delays. If any DSP customer is in urgent financial need, DSP’s Community Welfare Service can provide assistance while they wait for their claim to be processed.