An Ceann Comhairle: I welcome to Dáil Éireann members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Peoples Congress in China led by Mr. Tong Zhiguang who are here with us this afternoon in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. On behalf of Members I extend to you a most sincere welcome to our country. I hope you will find your visit to Ireland interesting, successful and to our mutual benefit.

Priority Questions.

17. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that all providers of commercial accommodation in the tourism area are licensed.

Following the review of Bord Fáilte by consultants Arthur D. Little Limited in 1994, the inspection activities associated with the registration functions were contracted to a third party, Tourism Quality Services Limited. In addition, the Tourist Traffic Act, 1957, enables Bord Fáilte to publish, or cause to be published, lists of other forms of tourism accommodation premises, such as B&Bs, which are not registered titles under the Acts. The system by which B&B accommodation is listed is a voluntary one and operators who do not wish to be listed by Bord Fáilte are not prohibited from carrying on their business. This listing function was also outsourced to industry associations formally recognised by Bord Fáilte as self-regulatory bodies, on the basis that they apply Bord Fáilte agreed standards.

The issue of compulsory licensing of all tourism accommodation has been examined by successive administrations over the years and they have all reached the same conclusion that any effective compulsory system would require a significant diversion of resources currently devoted to the development and marketing of tourism towards administration and policing. This would be especially burdensome because many accommodation providers only operate for short periods of the year.

In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the volume and range of tourism accommodation, which has enhanced the choice available to tourists and allows market forces to weed out accommodation which is not of a sufficiently high standard to meet tourism requirement. In light of developments in the supply of accommodation, I share the view of my predecessors that the introduction of a compulsory licensing system would be an inappropriate use of resources. There is no evidence to support the view that such a system would have any appreciable impact on accommodation standards over and above that brought about by market forces.

In this context, it should be noted that all providers of accommodation for tourists are obliged, whether registered, listed or unlisted, to comply with official requirements in areas such as taxation, planning, fire and safety and hygiene. Meanwhile, Bord Fáilte and the recognised listing bodies will continue to encourage all operators to seek listing status by highlighting, in particular, the benefits to be gained, including access to official marketing through Bord Fáilte, the Gulliver reservations service and the tourism office network. As part of this process I launched an initiative earlier this year by Bord Fáilte to help the small accommodation provider. The initiative involves a fundamental review of how the various groups in this category are branded and marketed overseas.

Progress has already been achieved in this process with the appointment of a steering committee to oversee the project and a marketing co-ordinator, who will undertake markets research and then develop and implement a marketing plan. I am confident that this initiative will considerably expand the range of assistance and advice offered to the sector, thereby making listing a more attractive proposition. Resources totalling £300,000 have been set aside for Bord Fáilte to support this initiative in 1999.

Mr. Allen: Is the Minister aware that approximately 10,000 premises, providing an estimated 30,000 tourism bedrooms, operate outside the standards laid down by Bord Fáilte? Is he satisfied that the standards of quality in terms of the environment, health and safety are being implemented in these outlets? Has he any concerns regarding controls of this area of activity?

Dr. McDaid: I am aware of the figure mentioned by the Deputy. However, I am not concerned about standards. There has been an accommodation explosion in recent years because of the success of the tourism industry. For example, 117 hotels have been built.

The standards in these bed and breakfasts are excellent. People do not tend to return to areas with which they are dissatisfied. Market forces are, therefore, dictating standards. It is estimated that it takes only one dissatisfied customer to undo the good work of 20 satisfied customers and 90 per cent of dissatisfied customers will not return.

Area Based Partnerships.

18. Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the discussions or consultation, if any, he has had or plans to have with representatives of the area based partnerships, or the co-ordinating body, PLANET, regarding the future of the partnerships; when the position will be clear regarding continued EU funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15492/99]

Work has already commenced on agreeing priorities for EU co-funding under the next National Development Plan, NDP, and on clarifying the Commission's new procedures for the next round of Structural Funds. There is also a separate national consultation process to be undergone, inclusive of the social partners. Until such time as this overall process is completed, it is difficult to give any indication of likely levels of EU financial commitments and programme support.

It is natural that there will be a degree of uncertainty pending the completion of the National Development Plan and the position to be taken by the European Commission as to its funding commitments to certain elements of the plan. The Government is, however, fully committed to the fundamentally important task of tackling social exclusion in deprived areas, and of ensuring that the overall objectives of current programmes remain a priority.

Whereas I cannot pre-empt the National Development Plan, I can say that my Department has made a comprehensive case for local development funding in the context of the drafting of the plan. The submission recognises the fundamental role of area-based strategies in tackling disadvantage.

The report of the task force on the integration of the local government and local development systems also envisages the continuation of area based local development structures within a more sustainable framework. The future will require the consideration and implementation of a number of recommendations in the task force report and those are, by now, well known to the groups concerned. Issues arising from previous performance, changes in deprivation rankings and the need to ensure that the needs of the real blackspot areas are being addressed are also issues which require consideration when planning for the future.

I am fully aware of the concerns of the area partnerships and ADM-supported community groups. In May, I had formal meetings with two groups from PLANET - one representing rural partnerships and one representing the chairs of partnerships - to discuss their concerns. My Department has also met with representatives of the ADM community groups to discuss post 1999 issues.

Funding for local development initiatives will depend on the financial envelopes available post 1999 under the new National Development Plan. I hope we can achieve clarity on these as soon as possible. Meanwhile the deadline for making commitments under the current Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development is the end of 1999 with the spend continuing until the end of 2001 to ensure the successful completion of the current programme.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: Why did the Minister of State not keep to the commitment he made on 17 May to officials from PLANET that, regarding their discussions and negotiations, he would return to them prior to their meeting on 10 and 11 June? Is he also aware that the contracts of more than 700 staff expire in December? This is the last opportunity to raise this issue before the summer recess. Given that the House will not reconvene until October, a commitment will have to be made. If 700 jobs were lost in a factory there would be calls for the establishment of a task force.

This is serious. I ask the Minister to give a commitment that internal funding will be made available to the partnerships to allow them continue.

Mr. Flood: I have met the two groups from PLANET involved, one representing rural partnerships and the other to which I have referred. I have made it clear that the Government strongly supports and recognises the commitment of the partnership process and the community groups under ADM as being a very successful way of tackling disadvantage.

I have undertaken to consider carefully the question of the interim funding arrangements to cover the transitional period and we are working strenuously on that issue with a view to reverting through ADM to the partnerships to clarify the position. I am also conscious that those working within the partnership structure require clarification as early as possible so that they can make career decisions.

I accept that this issue needs to be tackled. My Department has made a comprehensive contribution to the process of drafting the new National Development Plan. Local development is central to that issue.

Recognising the contribution made by Deputy Moynihan-Cronin, I have met the PLANET representatives and have heard the concerns. Both she and Deputy Allen raised this issue the last time we discussed it and I hope to be in a position to refer to them as soon as possible on the question of transitional funding arrangements.

Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin: Does the Minister of State have an idea of when it will be known if the funding will or will not be made available?

Mr. Flood: It is not known at present because it will be tied into the general framework which will be part of the National Development Plan, which will be published shortly. It would not be guaranteed that every partnership and committee support group would continue in its present format because they clearly would have to make their own applications under any new plan to a body, such as ADM, in order to determine whether they would continue as they are currently structured or there would be any departures from that, bearing in mind the progress made by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, with regard to the integration of local government and local development.

Swimming Pool Projects.

19. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position regarding the provision and maintenance of swimming pools. [15454/99]

Dr. McDaid: The swimming pool programme administered by my Department provides capital funding for local authority swimming pools, refurbishment of existing pools and the cost of new pools. Where a project is undertaken by an organisation other than a local authority, the proposal must be considered, in the first instance, by the relevant local authority. Any such proposal will be considered by the Department only if it is supported by the local authority. In considering whether to support an application, the local authority must be satisfied that the proposal is viable, the balance of funding required to complete the project is available and the project, when completed, will have a satisfactory level of access available to the general public.

Since 1988, a total of £16 million in grant-aid has been allocated under the programme towards the cost of refurbishment of 25 pools and the construction of three new local authority pools. The budget for 1999 is £3 million, which is already committed to the refurbishment of three pools, the construction of six new pools and outstanding balances on three recently completed projects.

The Department has applications on hand for funding for the refurbishment of nine local authority pools and the provision of 13 new pools, seeking a total in grant-aid in the region of £30 million. A number of applications for swimming pool projects have also been received under the 1999 sports capital programme, five of which relate to local authority pools. My Department is currently planning a review of the swimming pool programme, including application processes, funding and technical requirements for grant aid to ensure the most efficient expenditure under the programme in terms of promoting the development of swimming pools and the best value for State investment. I am determined that the development of pools under the programme for the future will be done in a structured and focused way, concentrating on areas of greatest need and based on clearly established priorities.

Mr. Allen: The Minister will be aware that he accepted a Private Members' motion tabled by Fine Gael two months ago which called on the Government to set up a capital programme for the refurbishment of swimming pools. He stated in his reply that he has received applications for approximately £30 million in grant-aid for the refurbishment and provision of new pools. What progress has been made on obtaining funding from the Department of Finance towards implementing the decision of this House, which was accepted by the Minister?

Dr. McDaid: That is correct and I have proceeded with that which was requested of me. That report is literally with me. I have already been in touch with the Department of Finance and we are undergoing a review of the entire swimming pool programme.

Mr. Allen: Faced with the demand for £30 million in grant-aid for the refurbishment and provision of new pools, including 25 metre pools throughout the country, how does the Minister reconcile that with the demand for a 50 metre pool and its cost implications? How will he square both demands in his capital programme?

Dr. McDaid: I have already dealt with the 50 metre pool. As the Deputy will be aware there were three tenders for it. That number was reduced to two because a High Court action was taken recently by the third interested party. The court made a decision this morning regarding that application and it rejected an application for a judicial review by the third party. I am now reduced to two tenders for the 50 metre pool, pending an appeal by the third party for which it has 21 days. I hope that I will be able to proceed with the 50 metre pool process shortly.

The Government made available the necessary funding for the 50 metre pool - £6 million plus £250,000 annually to cover running costs. Swimming pools are a very important part of the recreational aspect of swimming. Thousands of children of all ages participate in swimming and there are 55 local authority pools nationwide, all of which require upgrading but that involves a separate budget. For the first time, I am looking into the condition of those pools and, I hope, with the aid of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, a new programme will be put in place. These are two separate issues. A 50 metre pool is required for our elite athletes but I also agree with the Deputy that a huge refurbishment programme is required for local authority pools.

Tourism Industry.

20. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he will take to increase the access to training and focus training investment at skills needs and in areas of regional deficits. [15490/99]

Dr. McDaid: CERT is the body with specific responsibility for the provision of training to the catering and tourism industry. Training and human resource development are major elements of the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-99, under which CERT contributes to the training of 11,000 people per year on average for the industry. CERT continues to provide entry level craft training which is augmented by a number of programmes targeted at specific groups, such as the long-term unemployed, early school leavers and women wishing to return to the workforce.

In addition, it operates a number of management training programmes and other courses at advanced and supervisory levels. This training is provided on a regional basis mostly in the ten institutes of technology as well as CERT's own training schools in Cork, Killarney, Limerick, Rosslare and Killybegs. This regional network provides a countrywide supply of programmes and courses which are skills based.

A special pilot initiative, designed to bring training right to the heart of socially deprived areas, is in operation in Clondalkin and Ballymun and is aimed primarily at long-term unemployed people and those wishing to return to the workforce. The communities in these areas have already enthusiastically embraced the training programmes being offered through this initiative, under which 230 people are expected to be trained.

As the Deputy will be aware, with the recent reports of staff and skills shortages in the industry, both the tourism industry representative bodies and CERT continue to work individually and in partnership to promote careers in tourism in a very competitive environment. CERT launched the first National Tourism Careers Roadshow as part of its recruitment drive in November 1998. The roadshow toured nationwide and was supported by a major media and advertising campaign. It featured careers days in 35 prime venues and was backed by similar events in CERT's own centres which together attracted more than 10,000 student visitors. A database of more than 8,000 people seeking further contact and summer jobs in the industry has been compiled.

A "Careers in Tourism Magazine", sponsored by CERT, the Irish Hotels Federation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland, was produced and given to every student who attended any of the career promotion events. A 16 page careers supplement was also produced in a national newspaper and 5,000 copies of the supplement were distributed at career events throughout 1998. Workshops for career guidance counsellors took place in Kilkenny, Carlow and Kerry; 60 school exhibitions were also attended by CERT; and 283 career talks were given to 10,000 students. These talks were targeted at those schools that did not attend the careers roadshows.

A tourism recruitment promotion with 2FM Radio took place in January and February this year involving participation in street entertainment and radio slots over a three week period. The telephone careers information line on freephone 1-800 produced more than 3,000 inquiries about tourism careers. Careers information was circulated to more than 1,400 schools, FÁS offices, libraries and youth organisations. Information packs were made available to all industry personnel giving career talks. These packs included career brochures and course information, a careers video and overhead slides.

On many occasions since taking up office, I have urged the industry to become more proactive in addressing recruitment difficulties and labour shortages and to take appropriate steps to counter the perceived poor image of tourism as a career opportunity. In this context I particularly welcome the Irish Hotels Federation's "Quality Employer Programme", which is based on best practice in all aspects of employment including recruitment, induction training, ongoing performance assessment, career progression and conditions of pay and employment.

I understand that in the two years since the programme was introduced, approximately 60 per cent of members of the federation have applied for accreditation and 220 establishments have been accredited so far. The Restaurants Association of Ireland's "Restaurant and Customer Charter" is another good example of the type of initiative needed.

As the labour market is expected to tighten, with unemployment levels declining further over the coming years, greater emphasis may well have to be placed on other potential sources of labour for the tourism sector, including married women returning to work, retired people, those wishing to work part-time and non-national labour. The key challenge facing the industry and CERT is how to put in place appropriate policies, programmes and arrangements to attract, motivate and retain a skilled labour force in the face of declining labour availability and increasing competition from other sectors.

For the industry this will also involve considering internal training requirements and measures which could improve labour productivity. In the context of preparations for the new National Development Plan, my Department is working closely with CERT to identify the most appropriate focus - including skills needs and access to training - for its activities in the future and specific measures which should be undertaken by it to help address the training requirements of the industry, in an increasingly competitive labour market.

Mr. Allen: Does the Minister agree that while unprecedented growth is being enjoyed in the tourism sector currently, one of the major obstacles to the continuation of that growth is the shortage of people to take up jobs that are available? Does he further agree that CERT has so far failed to meet the challenge of sustaining the development in tourism which has been experienced in recent times? Does the Minister have proposals to attract more unemployed people into the tourism industry? For example, has he considered in conjunction with the Department of Finance a home makers tax free allowance, which would encourage women working in the home to enter the workforce, particularly in the tourism sector?

Dr. McDaid: I agree with the Deputy that there is a major labour shortage in the tourism sector. Within the next ten years the number of young people aged between 13 and 18 years will have decreased by approximately 10 per cent and that must be worrying for the industry. Unquestionably, there is a problem, but the industry must become more involved. CERT is finding it more difficult to attract people into the industry for three reasons - competition from other sectors; decreasing labour market; and the perceived unattractive image of the industry.

When all that is taken into account the prognosis is not optimistic because the labour force is expected to tighten further in future years with unemployment levels continuing to decline. A greater proportion of non-national labour will have to be used. In 1997 some 50 new hotels were built. There were 37 in 1998 and 30 this year. There has been a 20 per cent increase in that type of accommodation. I agree with the Deputy that there is a labour shortage, but CERT is doing its utmost to attract people into the industry. However, we need a greater input from the private sector.

This year instead of asking young people in Clondalkin and Ballymun to come to the CERT training centre in the city we brought the training out to them. The roadshow visited 35 areas attracting 10,000 students. We have workshops in three counties. There were 60 school exhibitions and 283 career talks were given. I could go on and on about what is being done to attract people into the industry. I could not blame CERT for its efforts.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: I remind Deputies that six minutes are allocated for each question, two minutes for the Minister's initial reply, one minute for each supplementary and one minute for the Minister's reply.

Mr. Allen: My questions have been less than one minute in duration while the Minister's reply has been more than two minutes.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: As we are still on Priority Questions the one minute does not apply to either the Deputy or the Minister.

Mr. Allen: In his lengthy reply, the Minister did not answer one of the key questions I put to him. Has he discussed with the Minister or the Department of Finance the concept of a homemaker's tax free allowance which would allow persons who have worked in the home for the past four or five years to come into the workforce? Surely that is a pool of labour which could be attracted into this area. Yesterday a person attempted to make a reservation by telephone in a leading Dublin hotel. Unfortunately she could not get her message across because the receptionist did not understand her although she spoke in English. While we may pride ourselves on being cosmopolitan, surely the Minister agrees that is an unhappy position and is a warning sign that Irish people are not at the coalface of tourism. I am not being racist but am talking about basic communication skills.

Dr. McDaid: We as a Government are trying to deal with the problems created by our own success. The matter raised by the Deputy is one for the Irish Hotels Federation. I agree there is a labour shortage and we must try to target our young Celtic tiger cubs who have emigrated. It is estimated that there are 20,000 of our young students attending universities in the UK and we must target them. I agree with the Deputy that people in their forties and fifties who have reared their families would be an addition to the workforce in this area. That issue was raised last year by the Irish Hotels Federation with the Minister for Finance. I will continue to pursue it this year. There are a number of people in that age group who would be useful to the tourism industry and the addition would be that they are Irish.

Sports Anti-Doping Programme.

21. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the responses, if any, received to the advertisements of the Irish Sports Council inviting tenders for the drug testing programme in sport ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15491/99]

Dr. McDaid: In February last tenders were invited, in accordance with the EU Services Directive for Laboratory Analysis Services and with public procurement procedures, for sample collection services in the context of the introduction of the national sports anti-doping programme under the auspices of the statutory Sports Council. Responses were required during April.

A total of four submissions were received in respect of the provision of the sample collection service. A further four submissions were received in respect of the provision of laboratory analysis services. All tenders are currently being assessed by a tender assessment board.

The contracting party will be the statutory Irish Sports Council which will be responsible for awarding the relevant contracts. The recommendations of the assessment board will be submitted to the new council immediately upon its establishment which is scheduled for 1 July 1999.

Mr. Allen: When will decisions be made on these tenders? What start-up time will be allowed for in the contract? When will the first sample from an Irish athlete be taken by a State agency?

Dr. McDaid: Advertisements were placed in the newspapers in February. It takes 52 days under the EU directive and then it takes 90 days for tenders to be set up. The earliest date is 1 July and it would be impossible to do it without setting up the council on a statutory basis. I have been assured that when the Irish Sports Council is established on 1 July its priority will be to examine the tenders for the laboratory analysis services and for the sample collection services. From that date onwards matters will continue to progress.

Mr. Allen: It is obvious from the reply that despite the lip service the Minister paid to the introduction of a drug testing programme and his macho talk not only about urine but blood sample testing-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: A question, please, Deputy.

Mr. Allen: The sporting year will be almost over before the Minister will deliver.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: The Deputy must ask a question.

Mr. Allen: The Chair is very touchy.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: I am not.

Mr. Allen: The Minister can waffle on all day. Will he state when the first sample will be taken from an Irish athlete by a State agency in this country? Will he give a guaranteed date?

Dr. McDaid: Deputy Allen set up the advisory board one month before he left office and I compliment him on that. The board reported to me in December 1997. I took on board all-----

Mr. Allen: Nearly two years ago.

Dr. McDaid: In the interim I set up the Sports Council on a statutory basis. I was appreciative of the help I received from Deputies as the Bill proceeded through the House.

Mr. Allen: Very slowly.

Dr. McDaid: It proceeded through the Seanad and, rather than waste time-----

Mr. Allen: It took six months to go through the House.

Dr. McDaid: -----I was also dealing with the tender process for the laboratory analysis services. I had to abide by the rules of the EU directive. If you place an advertisement in the European journal it takes 52 days-----

Mr. Allen: It should have been placed last year.

Dr. McDaid: You then give 90 days, that is nine months.

Mr. Allen: It is gross negligence. The Minister should have assumed the Sports Council would have been set up.

Dr. McDaid: The Deputy has been a Member of the House for a long time and he knows the procedure. The Irish Sports Council will be set up on 1 July and this country will have its first anti-doping policy.

Mr. Allen: When will it be? The Minister is negligent.

Dr. McDaid: It is vital that it is not a mickey mouse type operation. This country will be proud of the tests and procedures.

Mr. Allen: It is a mickey mouse situation now.

Dr. McDaid: It will stand up to all international testing procedures and programmes. I will not allow the overall future and integrity of the anti-doping programme to be jeopardised by the Deputy and I will not be pressurised by the media or other sources into prematurely commencing a testing system where the necessary quality mechanisms are not in place.

Mr. Allen: Pressurised - the Minister is being highly negligent by exposing athletes to the vacuum that exists at present. He sat on his hands and did nothing.

Dr. McDaid: When the system is set up the Deputy will be proud of it.

Mr. Allen: It is obvious the Minister cannot say when the first tests will take place. It is disgraceful. Empty words and no action.