Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Today, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, announced that visitor numbers increased by 6.5% in the first eight months of 2013. Coupled with figures published by the Central Statistics Office which confirmed that 15,200 jobs were created in accommodation and food services between the second quarter of 2011 and the first half of this year, this is welcome news. The figures vindicate the policy focus on support for the tourism industry the Government has pursued, including measures such as the reduction in VAT to 9% and a reduction in PRSI on employment in the sector, as well as initiatives such as The Gathering. Clearly, the Government's focus on growth in the tourism industry as part of its strategy for economic recovery is paying off and must be continued.

It is ironic that at this time of high unemployment, the success of recovery in the tourism industry is being threatened by a shortage of trained and skilled staff, in particular chefs. The tourism industry is finding it necessary to recruit substantial numbers of staff, including chefs, from outside the country. This is a crazy position considering the number of people on the live register who wish to upskill to find work.

Basic training in reception and kitchen work and other aspects of accommodation and food services provision that would lead to FETAC level 4 and 5 awards is not available. In addition, a number of Fáilte Ireland courses were cut some years ago. This means we do not offer any intermediate post-leaving certificate education other than the full-blown tourism courses offered by third level institutions. This gap in provision has been identified by the Irish Hotels Federation and Restaurants Association of Ireland. The Department and SOLAS, in conjunction with hoteliers, restaurateurs and their representative organisations, must take immediate action to provide proper training.

I understand that figures suggest 5,000 course places would be required immediately to meet demand, with a further 2,000 places needed each year. Filling this gap will require the introduction of an apprenticeship scheme, perhaps under the auspices of vocational education committees which have educational and training facilities in place nationwide. Such a scheme would facilitate integrated education and allow trainees to attend courses on certain days while continuing to work in restaurants and hotels where they would receive practical training. Such a programme should be established by the Minister as a matter of urgency. We have an excellent opportunity, in accordance with the Government's Pathways to Work programme, to increase the employability of jobseekers and provide education that is integrated with jobs.

The men and women working in the hospitality sector are essential to its success. Training them properly will ensure visitors have a good experience, pay return visits and advise their friends to come to this country. We are always brainstorming as we seek new ideas for creating meaningful training places that will deliver jobs. This is one such idea. I am aware that conversations are under way with SOLAS in this regard and there are measures in the pipeline. These steps should be taken sooner rather than later because many jobseekers would benefit greatly from the type of education programme I have described.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy Mulherin for raising this matter.

Under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, the training and education of workers in the tourism and hospitality industry fall under the remit of Fáilte Ireland, which is responsible for enterprise support, capability building and human resource development for the tourism industry. At the same time, SOLAS and my Department have overall responsibility for ensuring Ireland has the skills required to meet the needs of all industry.

Fáilte Ireland's approach to delivering training to the tourism sector has evolved over the past ten years. The sharp economic downturn adversely affected employment levels within tourism and employment opportunities. As a consequence, the priorities within the tourism industry changed to on-site practical training interventions to help boost productivity and sustain existing jobs. At the same time, Fáilte Ireland, in conjunction with the institutes of technology, has developed a strategy for the provision of hospitality and tourism programmes to provide a sustainable supply of industry ready staff to the tourism industry over the medium term. A critical aspect of the collaboration between Fáilte Ireland and the institutes of technology is that the former has sought and secured 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.

For individuals who are eager to join the workforce but do not want to attend college full-time, Fáilte Ireland supports a number of earn and learn programmes. These programmes enable individuals to attend college part-time to receive a fully recognised qualification, while receiving valuable paid work experience in a best practice establishment in the tourism industry. Fáilte Ireland considers that the range of courses delivered to 1,600 students at third level annually addresses adequately the vocational training needs of the industry.

In 2012, Fáilte Ireland provided training and business support to just under 17,000 trainees, students, employees and employers. Concerns are sometimes expressed, as noted by Deputy Mulherin, that there is a shortage of trained personnel available to work as chefs, particularly in the restaurant sector. However, statistics available to Fáilte Ireland suggest that this skills shortage does not exist on a national basis. My Department has a broader concern that training and education offerings are aligned with the needs of industry and jobseekers. It should be noted that there is also some provision at both FÁS and VEC level for professional and general cooking courses.

SOLAS, the new further education and training authority, is being established as a funding and oversight body under the aegis of my Department to ensure the provision of 21st century high quality further education and training programmes to learners. Section 9 of the Further Education and Training Bill 2013 provides that SOLAS, once established, will prepare a strategy in respect of further education and training.

SOLAS will promote further education and training provision that is relevant to individual learner needs and national skills needs, This includes the needs of business and future skills needs.

The Deputy may also be interested to know that in consultation with the Restaurants Association of Ireland, a new general cookery course with up to 100 places has been launched through the Momentum programme. FÁS has issued tenders for training entities to get involved in that.

In collaboration with industry, we are carrying out a review of our national apprenticeship schemes to determine how we can deliver the best apprenticeship opportunities to all our people, particularly our unemployed young people. Following that review, I expect significant developments built around partnership between SOLAS, our education and training boards and the hotel and catering sector.

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. According to the Irish Hotels Federation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland, there is a shortage of kitchen staff and other staff in the hospitality sector. The Minister of State has indicated that as apprenticeships are being reviewed, there may be scope to work with the tourism, food and hospitality industries. Does that confirm the need for what I am requesting, an integrated apprenticeship-style course? There is a gap between FETAC level 4 and level 5. Representatives of the Irish Hotels Federation were in Buswells Hotel today. They have said they are discussing the matter with SOLAS and that the problem is recognised. However, the Minister of State's response does not seem to indicate that.

Emphasising the shortage, many chefs are being brought into the country because restaurants do not have the chefs. While there may be chefs in the kitchen, why can we not train our own people where there is a skills shortage?

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is correct in pointing out that the Irish Hotels Federation has recently forwarded a report to my Department on job creation and training within the overall hospitality industry. It sets out the IHF's concerns over training and skills shortages in the hotel sector. It also sets out the key elements of the training needs in the hotel and guesthouse sector. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, has agreed to meet representatives of the IHF shortly to discuss the report further.

There seems to be a difference of opinion. Fáilte Ireland, which is responsible for the training needs of the industry, asserts that shortages are only occurring in certain pockets around the country and not nationally, whereas the IHF and the RAI seem to think quite the opposite. My door is always open to both those organisations and we will certainly work with them in partnership as best we can to address what they see as the skills shortages in that sector. We have worked with them in developing the Momentum programme, allowing people who are unemployed to gain access to a free, high quality course, which has been developed in partnership with the restaurant sector responding directly to its skills needs.

SOLAS will shortly be established and one of its obligations will be to prepare a national strategy in respect of further education and training that is relevant to individual learner needs, but also and equally important, relevant to the needs of the industry. That will involve a significant consultation process and I hope the IHF and the RAI will play a significant role in that process.