Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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47. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her strategies to address labour supply and skills requirements in the tourism and hospitality sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47931/21]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the strategies to support businesses and jobs in the tourism hospitality sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47921/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 52 and 74 together.

Recruitment continues to be a significant challenge for the tourism and hospitality sector, with up to two-thirds of businesses reporting reduced capacity due to staff shortages.

Fáilte Ireland is currently carrying out research, both from an employer and employee perspective, to gain an understanding of the challenges facing employers and why workers are leaving or not returning to the sector. This research will help inform any further initiatives required to address staffing and skill shortages for the sector.

Fáilte Ireland also chairs the Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group (COG) which works closely with industry bodies, education providers and other Government bodies to support sustainable employment in the tourism sector with an immediate focus on recruitment and retention initiatives.

My Department and Fáilte Ireland are collaborating with industry and other Government Departments to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to addressing the labour and skills shortages in tourism.

Informed by the recommendations in the latest report from the Recovery Oversight Group, and in the context of Budget 2022, I am working with officials and Government colleagues to establish what further supports can be put in place for the tourism sector.