asked the Minister for Labour who is responsible for the training of sewing machinists and the number of sewing machinists currently being trained.
Written Answers. - Sewing Machinists.
240.
The primary responsibility for the training of sewing machinists lies with individual firms involved in manufacturing. An Chomhairle Oiliúna (AnCO), through the clothing and footwear designation within the training advisory service, promotes a systematic approach to the training of sewing machinists within the industry. During 1978, AnCO contracted with the firms in the industry for the training of 161 sewing machinists under the in-company spare capacity training scheme of AnCO.
There are 48 training places for sewing machinists in the AnCO training centre network, with an annual throughput of 300 trainees.
At the present time there are 48 trainee sewing machinists in AnCO training centres and 81 being trained under the in-company spare capacity training scheme. It is estimated that there are also about 540 sewing machinists undergoing systematic training organised by firms themselves in the industry.