Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response. I appreciate where she is coming from when she speaks about providing jobs for Irish citizens and people from the EU. As I mentioned at the outset, it is felt that the training initiatives will not bring enough people on stream to service the industry for another two or three years. For that reason, I am calling for an interim measure to be agreed that would allow people in the industry on wages below €30,000 to be employed from outside the EU, if possible. The Minister of State has said that this matter is under review. I would like to be kept up to date. I will be in touch with the Department in due course to see how that plays out. I have marked the necessity which I am hearing from different hoteliers with regard to the shortage. They are finding it difficult to get people to fill sous chef, executive chef, head chef and specialist chef positions. They need regular chefs as well. I am not an expert. Senators Lawless and Byrne would know more about the technicalities of the catering and chef area than I do.I hope the Department will see the necessity for some leniency in the context of those earning under €30,000.