Fórsa has written to members working as personal assistants in further education colleges informing them of an increase in hourly rates of pay. For some members this could amount to a 30% increase in earnings.  

The union represents around 40 staff members who help students with extra needs to finish their education. These staff members are paid by the hour and are laid off during breaks between terms. The union is also seeking access to an incremental pay scale, paid sick leave, improved annual leave and to secure 52-week contracts of employment. 

Fórsa Head of Education Andy Pike said that “whilst the increase in hourly rates of pay from €15 per hour to €21 per hour is welcome and much needed, there are many other issues than need to be addressed to ensure our members working as personal assistants are treated fairly. To ensure we continue to make progress the remaining issues have been referred to the WRC for conciliation.” 

Over the coming months, Pike insists Fórsa will follow up on the pay increase by pressuring the Employers into further improvements for personal assistants in Further Education colleges. 

“It is high time that the role of the personal assistants was properly recognised and rewarded,” he concluded. 

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