asked the Minister for Labour whether he will consider acquiring the old Caroline Ballroom at Drimoleague, County Cork, for use as an AnCO training centre.

I am informed by AnCO that they are satisfied that the training needs of the West Cork region can be fully met by the facilities already available in the Cork training centres. Consequently the need for additional training facilities does not arise.

In so far as Cork is concerned, the total number of training places available at present in the Cork training centres is 605, with a further 95 places becoming available on completion of the new centre at Model Farm Road at the end of this year. AnCO are satisfied that the training needs of the West Cork region can be fully met by the facilities available in the Cork training centres, particularly having regard to the fact that AnCO pay appropriate training allowances and travel and accommodation expenses to trainees attending courses at these centres. These facilities can, of course, be supplemented from time to time by mobile centres should special circumstances arise in any particular area.