asked the Minister for Labour if he will give in respect of the external training division of AnCO the following detailed information on their policy with regard to (a) the seeking of tenders for the running of courses; (b) seeking of collateral; (c) the witholding of percentages of fees; and (d) changing the tutor-trainee ratio to 1/24.
Written Answers. - AnCO Training Courses.
498.
(a) Seeking of Tenders: It is now AnCO policy that all prospective or interested training organisations must tender for external training courses. This tendering system has been introduced from 1 January 1984; (b) Seeking of Collateral: AnCO do not operate a policy of seeking collateral in regard to the running of external training courses. Instead, every potential training agency must submit comprehensive details of its training and other resources; (c) Witholding of Percentages of Fees: AnCO have introduced a fee retention policy for 1984 as one mechanism to help ensure that a high quality of service is obtained from external trainers; (d) Tutor-Trainee Ratio: AnCO do not plan to change the tutor-trainee ratio of 1:24 which has applied generally in external courses.
499.
asked the Minister for Labour if it is now AnCO policy to discontinue holiday payments to trainees; and, if so, why.
AnCO trainees are paid for all public holidays and for days when AnCO are closed for reasons beyond the control of the trainee. In the case of trainees starting on or after 1 January 1984 it has been decided not to grant other holiday payments. This decision was taken in the context of maximising training opportunities within the constraints on the public finances. Trainees are not statutorily entitled to holiday pay.