Vol. 467 No. 4
241 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the progress, if any, that has been made towards realising the projected employment numbers in tourism as outlined in the Tourism 2000 strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13562/96]
The Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 aims to create up to 29,000 full-time job equivalents in the economy, including 17,250 in direct tourism employment and 11,750 in indirect and induced employment. The overall target for 1999 is, therefore, for the number of jobs in the tourism industry to rise to 120,000. The programme also aims over the duration to generate some 6,000 jobs in construction and associated capital works.
By the end of 1995, the estimated number of jobs in the tourism industry had arisen to 102,000, which is well in line to achieve and mid-term strategic employment target of 105,000 set in the Operational Programme for the end of this year.
