asked the Minister for Defence if he will name the school and agencies which obtained places for students on training cruises on the Asgard and the number of students from each school that have participated on these cruises during 1982, 1983 and 1984 to date; the criteria for offering places; the safeguards employed to ensure adherence to the criteria; the reason a school had an offer for 11 places withdrawn by a person (details supplied) after one of his colleagues had assured the staff and management of the school that these students could be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Asgard Training Cruises.
542.
Apart from students from schools throughout the country who are known to apply for and are allocated berths on Asgard II on an individual basis, about 50 berths are allocated each year to students from comprehensive, community, vocational and special schools which apply for small numbers of berths. In addition one cruise (about 17 berths) on Asgard II is fully reserved each year for students from comprehensive and community schools and another cruise is fully reserved for students from vocational schools. In 1983 a further cruise was fully reserved for students from both community and vocational schools.
The sail training scheme is intended to provide adventure training and character formation for young people. It is the policy of Coiste an Asgard which manages Asgard II that as far as possible priority in the allocation of berths should be given to young people who are likely to derive most benefit from the scheme. An coiste is satisfied that this policy is implemented by Irish Shipping Ltd. which handles a number of matters including the allocation of berths on behalf of an coiste.
The latest date for the receipt of completed applications for berths on cruises on Asgard II this year was 15 January 1984 and the allocation of berths on the cruises was made towards the end of January 1984. Applications for berths on a particular cruise were received in mid-February 1984 from eight students of the school referred to by the Deputy. When the principal of the school subsequently spoke to an official of Irish Shipping Ltd. regarding the application no berths were in fact available on the cruise in question. It was however found possible to offer him three berths on the cruise by altering other applicants to other cruises. He was also offered seven berths on one of the cruises to take place next autumn. He did not accept either offer. If his students apply for berths in sufficient time next year their position will be considered in conjunction with other applicants.