Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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247. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the imminent loss of employment facing a number of adult educators in east Galway, despite ongoing learner demand and available funded work in GRETB centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22093/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The new grade of Adult Educator was created in 2024. This was the culmination of many years of work by the Department, in close collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), and with the strong support of the unions SIPTU and TUI.

This new grade provides a standardised pay scale, delivering incremental progression for Adult Educators. Progress has been made in the regularisation of these posts with the introduction of a consistent method for awarding Contracts of Indefinite Duration across ETBs and the provision of access to leave schemes, paid leave and access to the appropriate public sector pension scheme. Tutors who choose to assimilate onto the new contract will benefit from these standardised terms. Those who do not will remain on their existing contractual arrangements.

With respect to individuals employed at this grade, ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for staffing matters. They are required to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to manage any issues that may arise, which are in line with employment legislation, where relevant.

This being the case, it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister to comment on or otherwise become directly involved in individual cases.