asked the Minister for Labour whether plans to build extensions to the AnCO training centres at Tallaght, Dublin and Athlone, County Westmeath have been postponed; and when the Tallaght extension will be equipped.
22.
Written Answers. - AnCO Training Centres.
21.
asked the Minister for Labour whether plans to commence new AnCO training centres for (i) Finglas, Loughlinstown and Baldoyle, Dublin, (ii) Drogheda, County Louth, (iii) Carlow and (iv) Letterkenny, County Donegal in 1980-81 will now go ahead; and the total number of projected places in the centres concerned for which construction plans have been postponed.
23.
asked the Minister for Labour whether new AnCO training centres for Galway and Dublin have been postponed; the projected capacity of each centre; and when they will be built.
24.
asked the Minister for Labour whether the provision for AnCO's capital budget in 1980 is in accordance with that envisaged in AnCO's corporate plan; and, if not, the extent of the discrepancy.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 to 24, inclusive, together.
The level of allocation for AnCO's capital programme is influenced by the overall capital requirements. The Government have committed themselves under the second national understanding for economic and social development to increase the State's contribution to the financing of training. In line with this commitment the Government have allocated £9.5 million to AnCO for their capital programme this year, an increase of 50 per cent on the 1980 allocation.
Plans to build extensions to existing AnCO training centres at Tallaght and Dublin (Ballyfermot) have not been postponed. The extension to the AnCO Tallaght training centre is almost completed, while the extension at Ballyfermot which commenced early in 1979 is expected to be completed shortly. While some courses have already been provided in the new Tallaght extension, the equipping of that extension to facilitate provision of the full range of courses envisaged for it has not yet been completed. It is intended to have that extension fully equipped this year.
AnCO plan to build new training centres at Loughlinstown, Baldoyle, Drogheda, Carlow, Galway and Letterkenny to provide a total of 1,864 training places. AnCO plans also envisage the extension of the AnCO Athlone training centre. Construction on the Loughlinstown and Baldoyle sites will commence in 1981 and on the Letterkenny site in early 1982. Details of start-up and completion times related to the other locations mentioned will be influenced by an examination of capital Exchequer requirements. That examination is at present under way and pending its conclusion I am not in a position, at this stage, to indicate likely developments in those locations.
Work on the new AnCO Finglas training centre commenced in January 1980, and that centre, providing a total of 420 places, should be operational by the end of 1981. It will, of course, be possible to initiate a limited range of training courses there in advance of that date. AnCO had intended to build a new training centre in the Dublin inner city area. These plans have now been superseded through AnCO acquiring the lease interest in a premises suitable for adaptation as a training centre in Dublin inner city. That centre will provide a total of 200 training places and it is hoped that it will be fully operational by the middle of this year.
26.
asked the Minister for Labour whether it is proposed to establish an AnCO Training Centre in Skibbereen, County Cork; and the up-to-date position in regard to such a proposal.
I am informed by AnCO that they are satisfied that the training needs of the west Cork region can be fully met by the facilities available in the Cork training centres, and that the need for a permanent training centre in Skibbereen does not, therefore, arise.