asked the Minister for Labour if he will sanction in the Cork area the building of houses for the elderly where they are promoted by a voluntary organisation under the Community Youth Scheme.

I take it that the Deputy is referring to AnCO's Community Youth Training Programme. This programme is designed to give basic training, coupled with work experience, to young people — under 25 — who are unemployed and are registered with the National Manpower Service for employment.

The projects on which the young people are trained are designed to improve local amenities. Voluntary and non-commercial groups and bodies can put forward projects for consideration. The promoters are required to provide the necessary raw materials as well as information confirming that the work in question could or would not be undertaken except under the programme — in other words, that contracts for work are not lost by local employers.

Trainees receive appropriate training allowances from AnCO during training. AnCO also pays a grant to the sponsor towards the cost of employing a foreman. I would suggest that the voluntary organisation involved in this case should pursue the matter with the local AnCO training centre in Cork, the local authority and the Department of the Environment.

How many projects under the Community Youth Scheme were begun in 1983 and how much money was spent on them? What is the position for 1984.

I do not have that information with me.