Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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63. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her strategies to assist the hospitality industry to retain and regain qualified staff in their sector, particularly in the context of those who may have left the industry due to Covid-19. [21794/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I recognise that protecting workers and retaining tourism jobs and skills is vital to tourism’s recovery. In September 2020, the Tourism Recovery Taskforce submitted a Recovery Plan to me which sets out a number of recommendations, including a recommendation on enhancing sustainable employment, aimed at helping the tourism sector to survive and recover from the pandemic.

Extending the wage support measures to June 2021 was an important step in assisting tourism businesses with staff retention. Funding of €5 million was also provided to Fáilte Ireland in Budget 2021 for upskilling training and to improve digital presence.

The Tourism & Hospitality Careers Oversight Group (COG), chaired by Fáilte Ireland, is a collaborative approach by stakeholders, including Industry Bodies, Education Providers, Government Departments and State Agencies to addressing Skills Shortages in the Tourism Sector. The Group is currently finalising a new plan that takes into account recommendations from the Tourism Recovery Taskforce. A feasibility study of the proposed National Tourism Education Gateway has also been initiated. This week the Careers Oversight Group has organised a Recruitment for Reopening Webinar Event taking place tomorrow for tourism and hospitality businesses.  

For their part Fáilte Ireland will run a social media campaign targeting job seekers when there is certainty around reopening. A schedule of targeted content will run through the summer on Fáilte Ireland’s tourism careers website to push the job opportunities available. As part of its suite of Covid 19 business supports, Fáilte Ireland provides HR advice and practical information for businesses. From employee well-being to temporary closures, these tailored supports help focus on restoring stability to businesses and supporting their employees.  Fáilte Ireland has also created an extensive range of business supports to support Ireland’s tourism and hospitality businesses to survive, re-open and recover from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

My colleagues, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD and Minister of State for Skills, Niall Collins TD recently announced two new skills programmes to assist hospitality and tourism sectors with COVID-19 challenges and ensure they are ready for reopening of the sectors. Both programmes are aimed at assisting recovery and growth in the hospitality and tourism sector. 

-   The Government recognises the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on tourism and hospitality and in the context of the National Economic Recovery Plan will consider further targeted measures to assist these sectors to recover.