Dáil debates

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

3:00 pm

Photo of Sandra McLellanSandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will mandate SOLAS to work with the hotel sector to ensure a sustainable supply of trained workers to fill entry level positions in view of the fact that Ireland's hospitality sector faces a shortage of trained craft/entry-level workers following Fáilte Ireland's decision to cease providing this training. [16559/12]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has asked whether I will mandate SOLAS to work with the hotel sector in the training of workers for the sector. As she may be aware, SOLAS comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills. Accordingly, I am not in a position to direct its operations. Over the past two academic years, Fáilte Ireland in conjunction with the institutes of technology has put in place an agreed strategy for the provision of hospitality and tourism programmes in the institute of technology sector. This agreement ensures a sustainable supply of industry-ready people is available to Irish tourism over the medium term. A critical aspect of the collaboration with the education sector is that Fáilte Ireland has sought and achieved the provision of improved training and career prospects for new entrants. New apprenticeship style models have been developed and put in place across the country, together with an accelerated training programme for chefs and restaurant service providers. It is estimated that 18,800 trainees, students, employees and employers will receive training and business support from Fáilte Ireland in 2012. Fáilte Ireland considers that this range of courses addresses adequately the training needs of the industry. Having said that, additional provision in alternative delivery systems such as SOLAS is always welcome, as long as the service is closely aligned to the present and future needs of Irish tourism and the certification is in line with the national qualifications framework. It is worth noting that Fáilte Ireland has championed the earn and learn approach as the most effective way of enabling individuals to access accredited training on campus on a part-time basis while also learning on the job. Any new training provision by SOLAS will have to be funded by the Department of Education and Skills.

Photo of Sandra McLellanSandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Is the Minister in a position to discuss this matter with his colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, and come back to me on it?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Yes, I can do that. Deputies are aware that SOLAS has not yet been established on a statutory footing. It is designed to replace FÁS. It will come to the Cabinet in the next few weeks. I will discuss the matter with the Minister, Deputy Quinn. I understand that some industry groups will make a proposal with regard to training through SOLAS. Having said that, much of the entry-level training can and should be done largely on the job. I do not think it is necessary to go to college to learn how to cut up a cucumber or something like that. A great deal of the training can be done on an earn and learn basis, mostly in the workplace.