asked the Minister for Labour the total funds made available to the AnCO raining centre, Ballyfermot, Dublin in each of the past three years; the training courses available there and the duration of each course; the number of teachers; the total number of trainees the centre can cater for and the total number who have received training to date; the present waiting list for admission; and the plans, if any there are for expanding the centre.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - AnCO Training Centre.
15.
The information requested by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
(i) Total funds made available to the AnCO Training Centre, Ballyfermot, in each of the past three years:
|
Non-capital |
Capital |
Total |
|
|
12 months ended 31st March, 1973 |
£239,479 |
£133,781 |
£373,260 |
|
12 months ended 31st March, 1974 |
£572,684 |
£92,624 |
£665,308 |
|
9 months ended 31st December, 1974 |
£614,085 |
£57,562 |
£671,647 |
|
Estimate for 12 months ending 31st December, 1975 |
£1,235,510 |
£65,000 |
£1,300,510 |
(ii) Training Courses and duration of each course at Ballyfermot Training Centre:
|
Adult Courses |
Duration (in weeks) |
|
General Engineering |
18 |
|
Machine Tool Operation |
18 |
|
Induction |
3 |
|
Electronic Assembly |
20 |
|
Radio/TV Servicing |
30 |
|
Welding |
18 |
|
Sewing Machine Operators |
8 |
|
General Construction |
8 |
|
Sewing Machine Servicing |
26 |
|
Office Equipment Servicing |
12 |
|
Production Operatives |
8 |
|
Panel Beating |
20 |
|
Clerical |
12 |
|
Junior Management |
26 |
|
Hairdressing |
26 |
|
Heavy Goods Vechicle Driving |
3 |
|
Storekeeping |
8 |
|
Fork Lift Truck Driving |
4 days |
|
Instructor Training Course |
2 |
|
Apprentice Courses |
|
|
Painting and Decorating |
50 |
|
Plastering |
50 |
|
Brick/Stonelaying |
50 |
|
Motor Mechanics |
50 |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
8 |
(iii) Number of Instructors at Ballyfermot Training Centre:
There are 83 Instructors at the Ballyfermot Training Centre.
(iv) The total number of trainees the training centre can cater for:
The training centre has a capacity of 411 training places.
(v) The total number who have received training to date:
To the end of October, 1975: 6,572.
(vi) The present waiting list for admission:
Total: 1,551.
(vii) Plans for expanding the training centre:
There are no plans to increase the training capacity at Ballyfermot.
As regards the last part of my question about what plans there are, if any, is this in the form of a tabular statement?
The position is, as the Deputy is aware better than anybody in the House, that it is not possible to expand the Ballyfermot centre any further and therefore it will be necessary to have perhaps two new centres in the city and this is under consideration.
Could the Minister say what percentage of the total funds was EEC social fund money?
No, Sir, I cannot. In the 12 months ended 31st March, 1973 it was £373,260 total and the estimate for the year ending 31st December, 1975 was £1,300,510, which is an increase of £1 million in three years.
I am disappointed that the Minister for Labour is not here, with all respect to the Minister who is in the House. Accepting that the Minister for Labour is on official business abroad I think it is an unsatisfactory arrangement at Question Time.
We cannot have statements of this kind at Question Time. If the Deputy has a question to put I am prepared to allow it.
I have a question to put but I thought we could so organise questions as to be able to accommodate the Minister absent on an official visit abroad.
It is not unusual for Ministers to deputise for each other.
I am sure the Minister for Local Government himself feels at a disadvantage——
Is the Deputy going to put a supplementary question?
Could the Minister tell us if the sites for the two further centres in Dublin have yet been chosen, if the land for them has been acquired and where will they be situated?
I did not say that any decision was taken. I said the matter was under consideration and if it is under consideration there would not be any decision. As regards the question of the Minister not being here, he is on official business abroad and, of course, any Deputy is entitled to ask to have his questions postponed until the Minister is present.
Could the Minister give any indication as to when there might be a decision on the situation in Ballyfermot?
I could not.
Would it be this year or next year?
I do not know; I have no idea.