Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I hear what everyone is saying about Mayo, west Cork and Kildare. That is why significant work is ongoing by Fáilte Ireland with the ETBs, the Department of Social Protection on pathways to work and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on permits and visas as was referenced. We are all aware of businesses and restaurants in our local areas and people across the hospitality and tourism industry that are struggling to meet demand and the huge difficulties there are. That is why the number one focus of the tourism and hospitality oversight group is to address the immediate recruitment challenges. As I referenced in my initial response there is cross-departmental representation on that. Work is also ongoing to develop a new and excellent employer programme to showcase good employers across the industry and to help businesses improve their employer practices and reputation so they become places that can attract and retain talent into the long term. In addition to the immediate work ongoing to address the gaps in the labour market, significant work is ongoing to develop it as a long-term and sustainable place to work.

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