asked the Minister for Defence the number of civilian craftsmen employed in the Naval Dockyard in Haulbowline, County Cork; and if he intends to have civilian craft apprentices employed there in the near future.

The number of civilian craftsmen employed in the Naval Dockyard, Haulbowline, is 35. The employment of civilian craft apprentices there is not at present under consideration.

Will it be considered in the near future?

I understand that this matter has been raised on a number of occasions over the years and has been fully examined. On each occasion succeeding Ministers have deemed it non-viable to do what is requested here, possibly because of the very small number of craftsmen employed there.

In view of this Government's commitment to the creation of employment and of the development in industrial terms of the Cork region, perhaps the Minister would look at this matter.

I will always be happy to look at the matter again if there is any possibility of doing what the Deputy asks, but I do not know whether the number of jobs which might be provided would make any worth-while contribution.

It might be very worth while to the number affected.

There was a difficulty in introducing a scheme because of the very small number of craftsmen and the wide variety of them.