asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, having regard to his regular consultations with Bord Fáilte and to the desire among catering workers for permanent employment, he will state if any plans exist to ensure continuity of employment in hotels operating fully throughout the year; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Catering Workers.
7.
It is a primary objective of Bord Fáilte and of the tourist industry generally to achieve a 12-months tourist season. Due to continuous promotional effort, the tourist season has in fact lengthened appreciably in recent years.
This year, Bord Fáilte and the industry are undertaking a major off-season plan consisting of the "Ireland Stop-Off" winter programme, a special interest programme, incentive travel groups, combination holidays and convention business.
As the Deputy is aware, it is part of the policy of the Council for Education, Recruitment and Training for the Hotel Industry, that all persons entering the industry as a career must have reasonable expectation of all-the-year-round employment. With the continued expansion in hotel and guesthouse accommodation it is expected that there will be a significant growth in permanent employment in the hotel industry over the next few years.
Having regard to the Minister's reference to the Council of Education's recommendations for improvement in the conditions of catering staffs, does he agree that it is imperative there should be regular consultations between the Council and Bord Fáilte in relation to the very important matter of ensuring that there is permanent employment available for catering workers, where possible?
As far as I know, there is regular consultation.
The question I asked was: does the Minister favour regular consultations between the two bodies. At the moment there are not regular consultations. Such regular consultations are highly desirable and would the Minister initiate them now?
I am assured that what the Deputy says about there not being consultation is not the case. I keep in touch with Bord Fáilte and I learn all about what is going on in CERT, where policy, approved by Bord Fáilte, is for students who are released from training schools in such a way that a fair proportion of the trained staff will be allocated for employment in time for the high season and moved to permanent employment at the season's end. Every effort is made during the off-season to ensure further training abroad and the gaining of more experience. That effort is partly the result of co-operation between Bord Fáilte and CERT.
The Deputy is well aware of what has been said about the intention to lengthen the tourist season. The point I am putting is: would the Minister not initiate, in view of his obvious agreement about the whole matter, regular consultations between the two bodies for the purpose of ensuring that people brought into the catering industry will have full employment and thereby put an end to people speculating in relation to expansion without having the views of the catering workers?
The Deputy is aware that there is difficulty in ensuring full employment in the industry. Everything is being done to expand the season. The season has greatly expanded, as the Deputy will know from the available accommodation in Dublin at certain seasons of the year, such as September. Every effort will be made to extend the season. The Deputy is aware of the fact that some of the employment in the catering industry is temporary. In rural areas, this fits in with the pattern of rural employment, as the Deputy knows. We want to ensure that the season will grow as rapidly as possible.
Question No. 8.
One final question.
The Deputy has already asked three supplementary questions. I am calling Question No. 8.
Thank you. You want to stop questions beings asked.
I have allowed four questions.
There are very few for Thursday, Sir.