Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
2600. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason, based on the new rules which mandate that adult educators can only work 20 hours teaching time and 15 hours non-teaching per week, only 20 hours are pensionable rather than 35 hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1009/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may recall that in 2024 a new grade of Adult Educator was created. 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.
Under the contractual framework for this new grade outlined in Information Note ESR ETB 0001/2024 issued to the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in April 2024, a WTE post is calculated as follows:
• 20 hours of learner delivery per week.
• 15 hours of non-contact time per week.
The non-contact time is expected to be used for essential professional activities such as programme development, lesson preparation, learner assessment, and continuing professional development. Flexibility remains for part-time arrangements and additional hours where appropriate, subject to compliance with the Organisation of Working Time Act and other relevant agreements.
The Adult Educator salary is based both on the class contact and associated hours, therefore, the associated hours are encompassed in pension calculations.
Finally, it should be noted that individual ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for staffing matters such as contracts, subject to Ministerial consents and approvals as may be determined from time to time.
