Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
120. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered a proposal from an organisation (details supplied) in particular the proposals for financial liquidity, talent and skillset retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17156/20]
View answerThe Government's Tourism Policy Statement 'People, Place and Policy - Growing Tourism to 2025" recognises the key role that training and education plays in ensuring that there is an adequate supply of skilled staff in tourism and to develop talent accordingly. Fáilte Ireland's priorities within the tourism industry are for on-site practical training interventions to boost productivity and sustain employment.
Following the publication of the Hospitality Skills Oversight Group final report, Fáilte Ireland established a Tourism and Hospitality Oversight Group (COG) to co-ordinate the relevant bodies to agree and implement a work programme to address current and future labour supply and skill requirements in the Tourism and Hospitality sector. Under the chairmanship of Fáilte Ireland members of this group have developed a two year work plan that focuses on delivery of five targeted objectives; improving awareness and attractiveness of the sector, building employment connections, best practice recruitment and retention, curriculum alignment and mapping existing provision to identify gaps.
The Government will also shortly publish a series of immediate actions to support the economy - the "July Stimulus". In this context the Government will, among other things, consider further additional measures that may be needed to support the tourism and hospitality sector.
My Department has liaised with other Government departments and industry representative bodies, to align the economy wide COVID-19 supports and initiatives with tourism and hospitality needs. The Government will continue to explore funding potential for all enterprises including tourism businesses as they work through the challenges facing them, including through any mechanisms allowable through the EU’s state aid framework.
My predecessor also established the Tourism Recovery Taskforce on 20th May 2020 to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan. This will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The Taskforce has submitted an initial report.
