Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There are a number of key strategies in place to ensure that our educational provision in the tertiary sector meets the existing and future skills demands of the fast-evolving jobs market. Central to shaping these strategies is the partnership approach between the Further and Higher Education system and Government, Industry, the National Skills Council, the National Training Fund Advisory Group, the Regional Skills Fora and the Apprenticeship Council.

I am aware of the difficulties faced by the hospitality sector in the recruitment of chefs, and there are several pathways in the further and higher education sector for the training of chefs and other culinary experts.

There are currently 3 Chef Apprenticeships in operation, Commis, Sous and Chef de Partie.

The three Chef Apprenticeship programmes continued to be significantly affected by COVID-19 during 2021. However, the consortium has been working very hard to get to pre pandemic numbers with the prospect of new collaborating providers coming on board in 2022.

My Department has also funded places on a number of culinary arts programmes through Springboard+. Springboard+ 2021 courses are at Level 6 (Certificate) to Level 9 (Masters) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and are delivered by public and private higher education providers around the country. All courses provide job-readiness training and most offer the opportunity for work placement, project-based learning or industry site visits where appropriate. In 2021 236 places were funded on culinary arts programmes through Springboard+.

My Department and I will continue to advance efforts to ensure that Ireland offers learning opportunities to all who wish to pursue then, and produces the graduates the workforce needs with the skills that our economy and society require.