asked the Minister for Labour if he has any plans to establish an AnCO training centre in west Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: The development of the AnCO training centre network throughout the country is in the first place a matter for the council of AnCO. I am informed that AnCO have recently completed an examination of the training needs of the west Cork area, and have concluded that the establishment of a training centre for the area is not a viable proposition. AnCO are satisfied that their training centre facilities already available at Cork city and Tralee locations, supplemented by the assignment of a mobile training unit and the organisation of external training and community youth training programmes in west Cork, can adequately cater for the needs of the area.

: In view of the Minister's visit to Bantry last Friday — and he was very welcome in my county — has he any views to offer as a result of that meeting at which the question of an AnCO training centre for the area was discussed? Perhaps he has changed his mind since that visit and I would ask if he made any commitments there?

: I did visit Bantry on last Friday and we had a very pleasant exchange of views there on the problems of the area. A number of issues were raised about the possibility of training centres in the area. I have received a good deal of additional material which I will put to AnCO and I hope that after consideration of this material the council of AnCO may have a different view on the situation.

: So there can be some optimism with regard to the position?

: Let me put the information to AnCO. I would not like to raise undue hopes, since it is not my decision. If it had been the Deputy's decision, these centres would have been there already.

18.

asked the Minister for Labour if he will request AnCO to have a training course for offshore oil exploration in Tralee, County Kerry.

: AnCO held a course in Limerick in 1982 to enhance the skill and promotion prospects of Irish personnel who work on offshore rigs.

As there are indications that the 1983 drilling season will involve reduced demand for offshore rig crews, trainees expectations could be unfairly raised if AnCO were to run a course in Tralee or elsewhere this season. This can, of course, be reviewed if indications of further exploration activities are received.