asked the Minister for Transport and Power what plans, if any, exist for improving facilities for training (i) deck and engineering officers for Irish ships and (ii) seamen, engine room and catering staff.
Written Answers. - Training of Shipping Personnel.
143.
The provision of training facilities for sea-going personnel is primarily a matter for the shipping companies in conjunction with certain vocational school authorities which provide special courses of instruction. My Department, as the examining authority, specifies the standards which must be reached by candidates for certificates in the various categories and grades but does not directly undertake the training of personnel. Irish Shipping Ltd. and the British and Irish Steam Packet Co. Ltd. co-operate with the vocational education authorities about training requirements and these interests maintain liaison with the examining officers of my Department.
The Irish Nautical College, Dún Laoghaire, which provides courses for deck officer personnel, is at present being extended, and the additional space and better facilities will enable improved training to be provided including pre-sea courses and mid-apprenticeship release courses. Arrangements are also being made for the provision of improved equipment for radar training. Irish Shipping Ltd. have informed me that they are establishing work study appreciation courses and management conferences for their personnel. The company are also encouraging certain younger ratings to study for their officer certificates and eight boys are at present receiving assistance from the company to this end.
In the sphere of marine engineer training, Irish Shipping Ltd. are revising their scheme to bring it into line with modern developments and the facilities available at the Crawford Municipal Institute, Cork are being expanded for that purpose. The Institute also provides courses in welding and work study methods. In addition to the normal training scheme for marine engineers, Irish Shipping Ltd. are arranging pre-sea courses for young engineers who have served apprenticeships in general engineering, together with promotional and senior advanced courses for serving engineer and electrical officers.
Irish Shipping Ltd. arranged within the last few months for the attendance of 25 boys at a two-week confectionery and baking course and have sent a number of cooks and chief stewards to advanced courses. The company are examining the possibility of arranging further training in other catering skills in co-operation with the Council for Education, Recruitment and Training for the Hotel Industry (CERT). The B & I Company are also making arrangements to send their catering personnel to special courses in ships' catering.
I am aware that the shipping companies and the vocational education interests concerned keep their arrangements under review and maintain liaison with corresponding interests in Britain to ensure that training facilities in Ireland keep abreast of developments abroad and are adapted as necessary to meet changing needs in nautical education.