Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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24. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the engagement that has occurred with Government colleagues regarding recruitment and retention challenges in the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47596/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Recruitment and retention of staff continues to be a significant challenge for the tourism sector. Prior to Covid, the sector had registered consistent increases in the numbers employed in Ireland’s regions and was an important driver of greater regional balance and dispersed economic activity. A sustained, and sustainable, rebuild is essential as tourism supports communities and drives regional development in a manner unlike other sectors.  

However, the sector faces a range of challenges, in common with the wider economy, such as sizable increases in the costs of key inputs and, as the Deputy has raised, difficulty in recruiting and retaining key skills. These challenges are not unique to Ireland; indeed, they are shared by many countries around the world.  

I have worked with colleagues across Government to secure funding supports to keep the tourism sector alive during Covid-19 and then to support this initial rebuild phase in 2022 and beyond.  

The Hospitality and Tourism Forum, which was established during the pandemic and is co-chaired by the Tánaiste and myself, provides a valuable opportunity for the sectors to communicate their priorities. The Forum met as recently as 12 September to discuss key priorities in the context of Budget 2023.  

My Department also participates on the Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group which brings together industry representatives, state agencies, Government Departments and the education sector. The Group has pivoted to focus on supporting the industry to address some of its immediate recruitment challenges this year. My Department and Fáilte Ireland are also working with industry and across Government Departments to ensure a co-ordinated approach to addressing the labour and skills shortages in the sector across all roles.  

Earlier in the year delays in the processing of work permits for chefs was a particular challenge for the sector. My Department and Fáilte Ireland worked closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) to seek to have those employment permit applications for chef positions that were already in the system processed as quickly as possible given the pressure that existed to recruit staff for the season. All flexible resources were redeployed by DETE to address processing times for General Employment permit applications in this context and this has resulted in 1,345 permit applications for chefs being processed since May with processing times reduced significantly to 5 weeks. My Department and Fáilte Ireland are currently working with DETE to increase work permit application success rates via training.  

My Department also continues to engage with the Department of Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science regarding the Tourism Recovery Taskforce’s recommendations which were to:

(a) Strengthen Fáilte Ireland’s Careers Oversight Group and formalise a relationship with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure programme development and coordination of tourism education and training;

(b) Develop a National Tourism Education Gateway as a one-stop education access shop for all tourism employees; and,

(c) ensure consistency in terms of quality and content of education and training provided by education providers in the tourism sector in consultation with industry to meet adapting needs and trends.

With regard to working conditions in the sector, Fáilte Ireland’s research indicates that 70% of people within the sector see tourism as a long-term career option. While this is a good proportion, to improve on this, Fáilte Ireland has developed a range of programmes to build skills and capability for businesses and individual employees including a suite of online self-directed professional development courses.  

Latest Fáilte Ireland research shows that while recruitment is still a significant challenge for businesses, the situation is improving and employers are making positive strides. Around 70% of businesses that are recruiting are increasing their pay and offering flexible work patterns, more stable work schedules and other perks. However, it is clear from an employee’s perspective that more still needs to be done to make working in the industry as appealing as possible.  

As part of the drive to promote tourism as an attractive sector within which to work, Fáilte Ireland has launched a new “Employer Excellence” programme to help all participating businesses to improve their employer practices, and enhance their reputation as excellent employers. This will help employers to drive great employee engagement, build the appeal of their workplace and unlock greater levels of performance across their business. This new programme should lead to greater retention of staff and improve the view of the industry as career of choice.  

A Transition Year Work Placement Programme to give TY students a high-quality work placement to motivate them to consider a course or career in the industry has also been launched, along with a major recruitment awareness campaign called “Works For Me” to encourage more people of all ages to consider a career in the industry.  

When we look at the wider economy and the particular set of challenges facing the tourism industry it is clear that a collective and concerted multi-stakeholder approach to tackling these challenges is required and that is the approach that I and my Department will continue to pursue.