asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of young persons at present undergoing sailing and navigational instruction under all schemes operated by his Department; and if he will give details of the duration and nature of such schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Training of Fishermen.
30.
Thirty-six young persons, between the ages of 16 and 18 years, are at present being trained under the scheme for the training of boys as fishermen operated by my Department. The training course extends over 12 months, of which five months are spent at the Department's fishery school at Moville, County Donegal, and seven months aboard selected fishing vessels. During the shore course the trainees receive instruction in seamanship, navigation, net-minding, metal-work, woodwork, cookery, Irish, English, mathematics, book-keeping, first-aid, hygiene and physical culture. Of the boys at present in training 21 are attending the fishery school and 15 are aboard fishing vessels.
During their training the boys are maintained free of charge and receive an allowance of £3 per week.