Third level PAs to receive pay increase in move championed by Louth TDs
The issue has been championed by Louth TDs Fergus O’Dowd and Ruairí Ó Murchú
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris has given approval to SOLAS to revise their Guidelines on the Fund for Students with Disabilities to provide for a standard hourly rate of €21 for personal assistants employed directly by ETBs, with effect from 1st March 2024. This represents a substantial increase on the current rate generally in payment across ETBs of €14.72.
The issue has been championed by Louth TDs Fergus O’Dowd and Ruairí Ó Murchú with both making calls for an increase in the money paid to personal assistants employed by ETBs in Louth and nationwide.
In a letter announcing the move, the minister thanked Deputy O’Dowd for his engagement on the matter saying it had been “vital to bringing this increase forward.”
The FÓRSA trade union has also lodged a formal claim for improvements to the terms and conditions of personal assistants with ETBI, seeking the establishment of a public service grade, with an incremental salary scale, pension and leave entitlements.
The Department of Higher Education announced it would undertake a review of the demand for, and response to, personal assistant services across the Higher Education and Further Education and Training sectors, which will examine the various arrangements in place with the terms of reference for the study currently being drawn up.
Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú welcomed substantial pay increases saying it will boost the wages of workers in colleges like Ó Fiaich, Drogheda Institute of Further and Higher Education and Cavan Institute.
Deputy Ó Murchú said:
“I have been working with PAs from Louth, Meath and Cavan over the last almost two years in order to try to improve terms and conditions for them.
“The news last night is very welcome and comes following my request that while Forsa’s formal pay claim is being considered, that the PAs would have some interim relief. But it is a first step.
“Many of the PAs that I am working with will, come the Easter break, have to fill in jobseeker applications in order to get some income when the colleges are off.
“They have to do this every time there is a break like Christmas and the summer. It causes incredible difficulties for them and they need a contract that is secure and reflects the incredible work they do in assisting people with disabilities through college courses.”