asked the Minister for Fisheries the number of places available in the courses for (a) trainee fishermen and (b) skippers, at the National Fishery School, Greencastle, County Donegal; and the numbers who availed of these courses in 1977.

: Thirty places for the training of new entrants to sea fishing and 20 places for the training of eligible fishermen as skippers are available at each training course provided at the National Fishery School, Greencastle, County Donegal.

During 1977 a total of 60 boys were selected for training, of whom 55 attended the training courses. Ten fishermen completed the skippers training courses out of 14 applicants who were accepted for training.

: Would the Minister agree that the attendance at the skipper's course is most satisfactory?

: I understand that the whole situation in regard to training is under review by the Minister in the Department.

: I should hope so.

: The disease is spreading.

31.

asked the Minister for Fisheries if he has plans to make training facilities available for fishermen at centres other than Greencastle, County Donegal.

: The whole question of the training of fishermen and prospective fishermen is at present under examination in my Department and I would hope shortly to be in a position to decide what additional facilities, if any, are necessary in this connection.

: There is a great need for the extension of training facilities to centres other than Greencastle which, geographically, is not the most advantageous position.

: The Deputy is making a statement.

: Would the Minister consider using the facilities available at centres other than Greencastle, for instance, the facilities available at regional technical colleges especially those near fishing ports as a base for providing further training centres?

: I understand that Cork in particular provides such facilities but the question of the availing of these facilities generally is being considered by the Department.