Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

49. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he plans to address the shortfall of chefs within the hospitality sector. [42149/17]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government's Tourism Policy Statement "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025" and the Tourism Action Plan 2016-2018 recognise the key role that training and education plays in ensuring that there is an adequate supply of skilled staff in tourism and to develop talent accordingly.

In line with other sectors, education and training for the hospitality sector is primarily funded and delivered through the higher and further education and training bodies, namely the Institutes of Technology and the Education and Training Boards, with complementary training and business supports provided by Fáilte Ireland.

The further development of training will be guided by the ongoing work of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, which is a matter for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Skills and Labour Market Research undertaken by SOLAS. A Hospitality Skills Oversight Group was established in early 2016 to ensure the skills needs of the hospitality sector are met.

Fáilte Ireland has certain statutory functions, including promoting and supporting the recruitment, training and education and development, of people for the purpose of employment in connection with the tourism industry in the State.  Fáilte Ireland's priorities within the tourism industry are for on-site practical training interventions to boost productivity and sustain employment.

With specific regard to chef training, Fáilte Ireland played a leading role in the development of a culinary apprenticeship programme through its participation, together with industry stakeholders, on a consortium collaborating on its development.  I am pleased to say that the culinary apprenticeship received QQI approval in July and the first intake of apprentices will commence this month.