asked the Minister for Labour the total number of unfilled vacancies at the latest available date in training programmes under the aegis of AnCo.

I am advised that all available training places in AnCO training centres were filled on 20th November, 1972.

Could the Minister state the number? He said "all". I asked for the total number.

I am sorry. The Deputy is correct in what he says.

I am never otherwise.

There are occasions when I could not say that. The potential number of training places in the centres is 1,100 but the number of fully equipped places at the moment is 900 because the centres at Dublin, Cork and Kildare started recently and are not yet fully operational.

17.

asked the Minister for Labour the number of people trained in AnCO training programmes in the past two years; and the proportion of these who have found employment at home in appropriate jobs.

I am advised that, in the two-year period ended 31st October, 1972, 1,780 persons including apprentices were trained in AnCo training centres and that 80 per cent of them found appropriate employment in this country.

When the Minister says "appropriate employment" does he mean employment in positions for which they are trained?

Yes.

Has the Minister any point to make with regard to the other 20 per cent?

That is a separate question.

The other 20 per cent represents 350 persons.

The Deputy will appreciate, of course, that at a time when there are more than usual redundancies and unemployment is higher than it was some years ago, it is very difficult for these people to obtain employment.

I am just wondering——

Will Deputy O'Connell allow another Deputy to put a question?

It is a question of mine.

The Deputy is entitled to put a supplementary also.

Will the Minister not——

I must ask Deputy Sherwin to put his question.

Would the Minister consider that it is not a very savoury prospect when people who are being trained for specific jobs are told prior to finishing the course that there are no positions available for them when they do finish? Such an instance occured recently in the Ballyfermot AnCO school.

I would require details of the particular instance before I could comment with any authority on that instance but, in general, I would say that it must be difficult for anybody to say with accuracy that no employment would be available to a particular person after a particular course. It would be almost impossible to say that accurately.

The fact is that just approaching the finish of the course the men were told that positions would not be available for them.

I am afraid I am not aware of the particular instance.