Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the body that has responsibility and accountability for training chefs here. [29735/18]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the body that has responsibility and accountability for training hospitality workers here. [29736/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.

The education and training sector works to meet skills needs as identified through student and industry demand. SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority funds a range of hospitality-related programmes (including apprenticeships and traineeships), primarily via the 16 Education and Training Boards throughout the country.

At higher education level the Universities and Institutes of Technology are statutorily independent and the management of their academic affairs, including the selection and delivery of courses are matters for individual institutions.

Industry and the education sector also work together to deliver courses under Skillnet Ireland, the national agency for workforce training in Ireland, which is funded by the National Training Fund. In relation to the specific sector in question, Chef Network Skillnet is a learning network for companies of all sizes in the food sector. Member companies work collaboratively to share best practice and to respond effectively to the specific skills needs of the sector. The network addresses both technical and non-technical skills needs of members.