Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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88. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether there is a shortage of skilled staff in the hotel and catering sector; the actions that he proposes to address this shortfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11121/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The economic downturn had an adverse effect on the Hospitality sector with many establishments forced to close or scale back and implement a range of cost cutting measures. In 2011, as part of the Jobs Initiative the Government reduced the VAT rate to 9% for those in the Tourism and Hospitality sectors to boost economic growth and cost competitiveness. The combined effects of this initiative have been to lower prices and increase output and employment. These moves, along with the successful running of the Gathering, have seen visitor numbers increasing in 2013.

The National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, which comes under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, is the lead agency responsible for encouraging, promoting and supporting the recruitment, training and education of people for the tourism industry.

The latest information from the Quarterly National Household Survey is that there are now 136,000 employed in the accommodation and food services activities compared to 118,000 one year previously – representing a 15% increase in employment.

On foot of these improvements in the business outlook of the hospitality sector, the Irish Hotels Federation has expressed concerns of a skills shortage in the hotel and catering sector, particularly for entry level workers. At present, Fáilte Ireland, mainly funds a range of courses in Institutes of Technology in Hospitality and Tourism at the higher level 6 to level 8. However, they are no longer providing entry level training which is required (FETAC 4 & 5).

This is an important sector with promising job prospects. I understand that SOLAS, the Education Training Boards, Institutes of Technology, Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Hotel Federation have recently met to discuss how these improvements at entry level can be put in place.

As part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs are to commence an assessment of the workforce skills and competency requirements for the hospitality sector in Ireland up to 2020, to ensure that there will be the right skill base – quantity, quality and diversity of skills to help drive domestic hospitality sector business and employment growth. A particular focus of the study will be on providing development opportunities for those at lower skilled levels to enable them to fill anticipated job openings.