Vol. 462 No. 2
47 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent concern expressed by the Irish Hotels Federation at the lack of availability of trained workers for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4338/96]
229 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the proposals, if any, he has to encourage people to work in the hotel industry in view of the staff shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4437/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 229 together.
I addressed the IHF annual conference in Cork last week where the federation itself discussed in detail future staffing and the related issue of the poor image of the industry. The industry itself is conscious of the problems it faces in relation to staffing and image and I am pleased to note that it intends taking action to remedy the situation.
The Federation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland in conjunction with CERT have formed a recruitment committee to look at ways of encouraging operators to increase the promotion of careers in the hospitality industry and to market them as an attractive option for school-leavers. In 1995 the committee launched a pilot promotional scheme aimed at second level students in the mid-west. The scheme was well received by schools and industry alike, and it is planned to extend this promotional scheme nationwide during 1996.
Meanwhile the importance of providing high quality training for new entrants and the existing workforce in tourism has been fully recognised in the EU Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-99. It is envisaged that a total of £110 million will be invested in tourism training over the life of the programme and that over 72,000 people will be trained. This almost doubles the number trained under the last operational programme.
