Vol. 504 No. 3
13 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has satisfied himself that the appropriate supports are in place to ensure all tour operators and tour guides have the required knowledge and other supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11204/99]
Programmes for tour guide training are certified by the National Tourism Certification Board and CERT to ensure high standards in relation to the knowledge of guides who successfully complete the programme. They also provide for a range of courses for tour guide training. These include the national tour guide training programme which covers the entire country, Dublin city tour guide training programme and local tour guide training programmes. In addition, they run refresher training programmes for qualified guides from time to time. CERT, in consultation with the relevant representative bodies, decides on an annual basis the training requirements for all tour guides. Tour operators come under the aegis of the Minister for Public Enterprise and are controlled under the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982.
