Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
778. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify on contracts of employment for coordinators and resource persons in Youthreach as to what is meant by “closures” with regard to provisions for “Hours of Attendance” and “Annual Leave”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73350/25]
View answerFirstly, it is important to note that employers are required to provide statements of terms of employment under the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994. These include hours of attendance and terms and conditions relating to paid leave (other than paid sick leave).
Turning to Youthreach, Circular 12/2003 (Contract template for the Employment of Youthreach Co-ordinators and Resource persons) provides contract templates for the employment of Youthreach resource persons and Youthreach co-ordinators. As per these contracts, the hours of attendance are 35 hours per week. Youthreach centres operated on 226 weekdays from the beginning of September to the end of July each year excluding public holidays, and such closures as will be allowed for Christmas and Easter. Since the introduction of the St. Brigid's day bank holiday, this has become 225 days per year. The schedule for the 225 days, including the closure periods for Christmas and Easter, is an operational matter for each Education and Training Board.
