asked the Minister for Labour if AnCo are involved in any cross-Border training courses.

: AnCO are currently involved in a cross-Border training project financed jointly by the Department of Manpower Services of Northern Ireland and AnCO. The project is an experiment in North-South co-operation in the field of youth employment. It brings together 12 young unemployed people from disadvantaged backgrounds, six from Dublin and six from Omagh, to better equip them to search for employment and to further their understanding of, and relationship with, those from a different political, social and cultural background. During the project the young people spend half their time in Omagh and half in Dublin.

The present project started in January and followed the completion of an initial project at the end of 1981 when a training workshop was organised in conjunction with two voluntary organisations, namely the Omagh Community Development Association and the Hope Organisation of Dublin.

: Is it proposed to continue with this programme with particular reference to Donegal which is geographically north and politically South? It is more important that the Minister refers to Donegal so as to help cross-Border relations as well as cross-Border training programmes.

: The details of the operation of AnCO are a matter for the council of that body but the results of this initial project are very encouraging. I have no doubt that the remarks made by the Deputy will be taken into account.

: Will the Minister give a commitment to look at Donegal in particular and at the other Border counties for further cross-Border programmes?

: As I indicated, this was the first such project and the results were most encouraging. That is so particularly if one takes into account the background of the people involved. The situation was that some 75 per cent of the young people involved in that project went on to secure employment or further training opportunities and that was regarded as most satisfactory particularly having regard to the difficult background from which they came. The fact that that first project was so successful certainly points the way to further co-operation.

: If I bring to the attention of the Minister courses or training programmes suitable for Donegal will he investigate them?

: I will be delighted to do that.

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