asked the Minister for Labour if he intends to introduce legislation to regularise the operation of private training and recruitment agencies in Ireland.

The Employment Agency Act, 1971 provides for the control and regulation by the Minister for Labour of employment agencies. The Act provides that a person cannot carry on the business of an employment agency except under — and in accordance with — a licence issued under the Act. Regulations made under this Act require the holder of a licence to conform to certain standards of suitability and fitness.

There are no proposals at present for legislation to control private training agencies. However, any training courses provided by such agencies under contract for AnCO are closely monitored by AnCO staff, and no fees are charged to participants. To be eligible for participation in the technical assistance grants scheme, the course in question must have been approved in advance by AnCO.