Billy Timmins
Question:32 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans he has to change the regional structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21198/00]
Written Answers. - Tourism Industry.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the regional tourism authorities – RTAs – established by Bord Fáilte, under the Tourist Traffic Acts, for the promotion and development of tourism on a regional basis.
In line with the commitment set out in the Government's action programme for the millennium, a review of the RTAs was carried out during 1999. In the context of the review, a report on the RTAs was commissioned by BFE from Fitzpatrick Associates to assist their deliberations.
The objective of the review was to ensure that RTAs would be positioned to make the optimum contribution to the realisation of national tourism objectives and targets set by Government, while taking into account regional priorities and customer focus.
Discussions between officials from my Department and Bord Fáilte on issues arising from the review process were concluded earlier this year. Bord Fáilte since then have met with the managers of the RTAs to inform them of the new vision for the future of the RTAs.
A key feature of this vision is the introduction of a formal annual performance contract, between Bord Fáilte and each RTA, covering issues such as BFE funding, visitor servicing, marketing and promotion, tourism development, and the co-ordination role of the RTAs. These contracts are intended to set out the role and what is expected of the RTAs and to lay down indicators for measuring performance.
In general, RTAs have welcomed this new contractual framework and, to date, all but one of the six RTAs have signed up to the contract. Bord Fáilte are continuing negotiations with the outstanding RTA. I am confident that this new contractual framework, which marks a major advance in the regional administrative structure, will give increased clarity and focus to the work of the RTAs, enabling them to maximise their contribution to regional and national tourism performance.
Question No. 33 taken with Question No. 13.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:34 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his views on whether there is a labour shortage crisis in our tourism industry, particularly in hotels and restaurants; and the measures he will take to deal with the problem. [21169/00]
Seán Ryan
Question:45 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps being taken to ensure that the expanding tourism industry will be able to meet its labour demands; if he has had any discussions with the relevant tourism sectors in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21128/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 45 together.
The Irish tourism and hospitality industry has been an extremely vibrant one over the past ten years catering last year alone for six million overseas visitors in addition to the rapidly expanding demand from the local domestic market, and bringing over £2.5 billion in foreign exchange revenue into our economy. This success has created new challenges for the industry not only in terms of maintaining its competitive position in an ever more competitive international environment, but also in the competition for staff in Ireland's tightening labour market.
The tourism and hospitality industry needs to further deepen its relationship with CERT who are actively encouraging and promoting the development of training capacity and better human resource management skills within the industry itself. Achieving this objective will be essential if the industry is to maintain its pool of highly motivated, productive and committed skilled labour to respond to market demand for quality service and value for money.
Under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, the overall tourism aim is to help industry secure and retain a professional and skilled workforce to meet existing and emerging needs in the sector, thereby enhancing the quality of tourism product and service. The launch in June 2000 by CERT of its strategic plan 2000-06 is an important milestone in this process, which will facilitate raising and maintaining the highest operational and human resource standards in tourism.
Recently I launched CERT's new nationwide programme to encourage people who have been out of the workforce for a long time to take up a career in the tourism industry. This follows on from another scheme launched in May 1999 in Ballymun, targeted at long-term unemployment blackspots, which has proved to be very popular and successful, with participants being virtually guaranteed jobs on successful completion of the courses.
CERT's annual careers roadshow is being launched on Monday next, 16 October and will visit a total of 16 venues countrywide and hold over 70 sessions in various second level institutions. It is targeted at second level students from transition year to leaving certificate level and is implemented in partnership with the major industry bodies including the Irish Hotels Federation, the Restaurants' Association of Ireland, the Vintners' Federation of Ireland and the Licensed Vintners' Association. The roadshow will be advertised through local radio stations and newspapers. Meanwhile on Thursday, 12 October, I will be launching the careers magazine, Get a Life in Tourism. This magazine is a CERT joint venture with the industry bodies and highlights the variety of careers on offer.
CERT has also recently launched the new RETAIN initiative to help address serious concerns in the tourism and hospitality industry over recruitment and staff retention. Financial assistance of up to £15,000 over a three year period will be available, under certain conditions, to businesses for improvement in human resources management, the key to tackling industry's staffing problems. These new supports are designed to attract participation in the scheme from firms right across the industry. Smaller companies whose individual needs may not warrant a dedicated human resource professional are being encouraged to consider joining with several others in an application with a view to sharing a dedicated human resource executive. Alongside the new scheme, CERT will be running a series of courses for owners and general managers on modern human resource best practice.
CERT will be organising a major conference in November on world class service in tourism and hospitality for general managers and senior executives in the industry. Featuring a panel of international speakers and the findings of the latest international research carried out this year, the conference will focus on the best practice in human resources and operations management.
In a separate effort to boost recruitment levels, I understand that tourism employers have participated in recruitment fairs in Scotland and Wales which have proved very successful in attracting staff to Ireland. Recruitment drives are currently being considered for other European locations. Irish participation in fairs such as these is co-ordinated by FÁS, who welcome employers to such recruitment drives. I understand that the Irish Hotels Federation, Irish hotel groups and individual bodies are also participating in EURES, the European employment service, to help satisfy labour shortages in the hospitality sector.