Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 May 1994

Vol. 442 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hotel Training.

Richard Bruton

Question:

26 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he has satisfied himself with the level of formal training among owner-managers in hotel/guesthouse/fast food outlets; and, if not, the measures, if any, he proposes to improve the present situation.

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. McCreevy)

The manpower survey of the hotel, catering and tourism industry in Ireland, carried out by CERT in 1992, showed that in the hotel and guesthouse sector over 30 per cent of owner-managers received formal training. In the fast-food sector, 44 per cent of owner-managers received formal training.

The survey also confirmed that there was a very high level of familiarity among managers and owner-managers of formal training courses offered by CERT. Apart from the range of external management programmes run by CERT, it also operates an advisory and consultancy training service which targets approximately 200 establishments per annum, many of which are small owner-managed units.

Training, of course, is a critical element in the Government plans to realise significant quality growth in tourism by the end of the decade. With this in mind, I am determined, as part of my overall strategy for the sector, to upgrade even further our training activities and to ensure a clear focus on the key skills required to underpin a quality tourism product by the end of the next tourism operational programme. My Department is currently working therefore with CERT and the industry in the preparation of a comprehensive manpower/ training policy which will help to determine priorities to the turn of the century.