Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
91. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of strategies to assist the hospitality industry to retain and regain qualified staff in their sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33299/21]
View answerThe reopening of the country and the economy has been happening gradually over June and I look forward to further reopening in July and beyond. Tourism accommodation and outdoor dining have reopened and subject to satisfactory progress with the health situation, more indoor activities will reopen in July.
The Government has supported businesses, including the tourism hospitality sector, through the closure, in particular with initiatives such as the CRSS, EWSS and the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Business Continuity Scheme (TBCS) and is now assisting them in their reopening. While CRSS and the TBCS have addressed fixed costs, the EWSS has been crucial in maintaining employment and the link between employer and employee. Its continuation was one of the key asks of the sector and the Government has committed to its maintenance until end-2021 in the Economic Recovery Plan. I know that the reopening is very welcome but I also know that it brings a number of challenges, particularly in reconnecting with employees.
Prior to the pandemic, tourism and hospitality accounted for approximately 260,000 jobs and Fáilte Ireland was very active in the issue of skills development in the sector. The Tourism Recovery Taskforce made a number of recommendations to enhance sustainable employment in the tourism sector to support both its survival and recovery. This includes the development of a National Tourism Education Gateway as a one stop shop to education for all tourism employees. My Department is working closely with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to progress these recommendations.
In addition, Fáilte Ireland chairs and co-ordinates the work of the Tourism & Hospitality Careers Oversight Group which includes members from across the tourism industry and is currently implementing an agreed Plan of Action with stakeholders. Fáilte Ireland is also delivering a number of strategies and working closely with industry, education providers, and other State agencies to address the recruitment and retention challenges in the tourism sector, such as a recent recruitment webinar event and an ongoing social media campaign targeting job-seekers.
