asked the Minister for Labour the reason for the closing of the AnCO training centre at Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - AnCO Training Centres.
17.
I understand from AnCO that the mobile training centre in Kildare town was established specifically to meet the needs of a large newly established industry which was coming to the town. It was the expressed intention to move the centre elsewhere when those needs had been met. AnCO state that those needs have now been met and they therefore propose moving the centre to Newbridge as soon as suitable premises are available in that town.
Would the Minister not agree that sometime ago his Department gave an undertaking that for so long as there were applications for training in Kildare town, the AnCO centre would be left there? Consequently, is this decision to close the centre not a change of policy? Would he not agree, also, that the terms of reference of AnCO in Kildare in respect of the firm mentioned were changed to allow for the taking in of trainees from other areas?
I think the Deputy is referring to a temporary decision taken in mid-1976 to the effect that when the training had ended for the work force to which he refers, the centre would continue to operate in Kildare town for a further period in order to train additional unemployed workers. I am sure the Deputy is aware also that in reply to a question tabled by Deputy Power my predecessor said that a study was being carried out and that a decision would be taken in the near future. Because that study has shown that the need for the training centre is greater in Newbridge than is the case in Kildare town it has been decided to transfer to Newbridge on the same basis as applied to its establishment in Kildare town. The situation there will be kept under review in the future.
Is the Minister denying that a decision was taken to leave the centre in Kildare town for as long as there were applications for training there?
I am not aware of any such decision. The only decision I am aware of and I think it is the one to which the Deputy is referring was the decision taken after the training had been completed for the specific group of people for whom the centre was established, to retain it for a further period in Kildare town in order to retrain some unemployed people. However, during that time the review to which I have referred was undertaken as to the training needs of Kildare generally. That survey showed clearly that Newbridge was more in need of the centre than was Kildare town.
Is the Minister saying that the centre is being transferred definitely to Newbridge?
Yes. As soon as suitable premises are available—the prognostication is for January 1978— the centre will be established in Newbridge.
I am calling Question No. 18.
Can the Minister say——
We cannot spend all day in Newbridge.
I agree that a training centre in Newbridge is very necessary but can the Minister say if the survey showed that in addition to Kildare town, a centre was required in Newbridge?
I travel through both of those towns regularly. They are quite close together. As the Deputy knows well, the centre was established in Kildare town to train workers for one specific industry. It was decided to extend it temporarily for a further period but the survey that was undertaken showed Newbridge to be more in need of a training centre. Consequently, it has been decided to move to Newbridge on a similar basis as applies to Kildare town while continuing to keep the needs of the latter under review.
Question No. 18 has been called.
Can the Minister say——
We cannot go on interminably on this question.
——whether in the meantime the centre in Kildare town will be closed although the one at Newbridge has not opened yet?
That is not so. It will be transferred at such time as suitable premises are available in Newbridge. It is being moved from Kildare town to Newbridge.
Therefore, it will continue to operate in Kildare town until the premises in Newbridge are ready?
That is so.
18.
asked the Minister for Labour what plans, if any, he has to develop the AnCO training centre in Gweedore, County Donegal.
AnCO are at present reviewing the training capacity of all their training centres, including Gweedore. This review is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Would the Minister care to comment on local rumour to the effect that it is proposed to close the centre at Gweedore?
I cannot be blamed for any local rumours in Donegal. I assure the Deputy and the House that there is no such intention.
Can we take that for granted?
The Deputy and the House can.
For the record, while I accept the Minister's indication that the AnCO centre in Gweedore is not going to be closed down, unfortunately the stenographer cannot record a nod of the head. Would the Minister for the record state clearly that the AnCO centre in Gweedore is not closing down?
I already gave that assurance.
Not by word.
The Minister answered that.
By indication but not by word. Can I take it that the Minister is guaranteeing——
The future of the Gweedore centre; I am, of course.
(Interruptions.)