There are now 188,000 people working in tourism, representing a 22 per cent increase since 1992, the State's tourism training agency has reported. However, the chairman of CERT, Mr James Nugent, says there is still a recruitment problem in the industry.
Speaking yesterday at the launch of CERT's 1996 annual report, Mr Nugent said the poor image of hotels and restaurants as a sector with low wages and long working hours did not reflect the "vast bulk of employers". He said many excellent employers were being damaged by the "unhealthy practices" of a small number of firms.
However, in the competitive labour market which exists in Ireland now, those with bad employment practices would suffer first.
Mr Nugent said he did not foresee the EU's contribution to CERT declining after 1999 as dramatically as people believed it might, given that supporting employment was such a key factor in EU policies. The EU currently provides nearly £8 million of CERT's £12 million income.
Asked if he foresaw the tourism industry's £230,000 contribution to CERT increasing, Mr Nugent said it might have to contribute more in terms of inhouse training.