Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 8

Written Answers. - Tourism Employment.

Tony Killeen

Question:

226 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on the regional distribution of employment in the tourism industry as illustrated in a recent report commissioned by CERT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6082/97]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

The recent employment survey commissioned by CERT happily confirms that overseas tourism growth in recent years has translated into steady job growth. Employment in the tourism sector has increased by some 20 per cent over the past four years and all regions have shared in that growth. The regional distribution of employment in the sector is broadly in accordance with what might have reasonably been expected given Bord Fáilte estimates of regional tourism performance.

While the south west region provides most jobs in hotel and guesthouses at 25 per cent and in self-catering accommodation at 39 per cent e.g. restaurants, fast food outlets, tourism services and attractions in a number of other sectors, the average number employed per business in Dublin was higher than for its regional counterparts.

The spread of employment regionally for licensed premises is more even. Dublin provides 19 per cent of jobs in this respect, with the south west and mid west supplying 17 per cent and 16 per cent of jobs respectively.

The fact that Dublin employs 24 per cent of the overall figures reflects the fact that the city has become a major "capital city" tourist attraction for visitors to this country, now competing very effectively with other traditional European "city visit" locations such as Amsterdam. Additionally, the regions have also benefited, with the south west accounting for 19 per cent of total employment and the mid west and west together accounting for 25 per cent matching the Dublin contribution.

I am particularly pleased that the survey forecasts tourism employment growth of 4 per cent for 1997. Tourism remains a vital contributor to our further economic development and to the creation and maintenance of employment opportunities both in urban and rural areas and especially in disadvantaged areas offering little alternative employment potential.