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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Feb 1989

Vol. 386 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CERT Funding.

31.

asked the Minister for Labour the level of funding provided to CERT for training in 1987 and 1988; the extent to which this subsidy was matched from CERT's own resources; and if he has satisfied himself that the industry's contribution towards the cost of training is reasonable.

The information requested is in the form of a tabular statement which will be circulated in the Official Report.

The hotel and catering industry have responded to my request to increase their contribution to CERT. Arrangements for the collection of the increased contributions are in train.

Following is the statement:

Sources of Funding for CERT with Amounts, 1987 and 1988

1987

1988

£m

£m

Exchequer

2.756

2.627

European Social Fund

2.679

2.692

Other

0.316

0.516

Total

5.751

5.835

Would the Minister state if CERT or the hotel industry have paid their full contribution? In the past they fell short of what was expected of them. The Minister has not given me the figures orally which, frankly I would have preferred, in a tabular statement. He said they have made an increased contribution but have they made the contribution in full?

What I set out to do was to negotiate somewhere between £300,000 and £500,000 of a contribution from them. Most of the hotels and guesthouses are now paying. There is a change in the Finance Bill on the liquor licences for a contribution which will come back from the licence trade. That is already agreed and it is in this year's Finance Bill. Is it only the hotel section the Deputy is interested in?

This covers a number of areas — hotels and guesthouses, liquor licence fees, carriers and hospitals. The hotel industry have already honoured their responsibilities.

What I am saying essentially is that the industry have not paid a fair contribution and there is no reason they should get preferential treatment and be taken under the umbrella of FÁS. One of the reasons they were kept out of FÁS was because they were supposed to increase their contributions but they have not done so. The hotel catering industry are in a very privileged position inasmuch as they are the only section of the community whose staff are trained at a very small cost. They have not honoured their obligations and for that reason the Minister should have a fresh look at the future of CERT to see whether they should continue.

The Deputy raised a number of questions. With regard to the contributions they have been asked to pay, they have agreed to pay and they are being paid.

Not in full.

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