asked the Minister for Labour if, in view of the proposed expansion in the AnCO training programme, he is now prepared to grant permanent status to the temporary centre in Ballina, County Mayo; and, if not, why.

The Ballina training centre is being continued as a temporary centre and its operations kept under continuous review. The council of AnCO have indicated to me that in present circumstances they would not be warranted in increasing the number of training courses in Ballina or establishing a permanent centre there.

Does the Minister consider that there is a potential for establishing a full-time AnCO training centre there?

The centre was established in 1972 and since then the through-put up to September of this year was 70, and 85 in the community youth training project. At this stage it is not possible to say what further expansion AnCO may consider in the context of the White Paper which will be issued on the expansion of training. Obviously they will be reviewing Ballina and many other centres.