asked the Minister for Labour the grants which AnCO are getting from the Government for the training of women over 25 years of age; and the percentage this is in relation to previous years.

The following amounts from the finances provided by the Exchequer have been expended by AnCO on the training of women over 25 years of age since 1983:

Is it not a fact that the EC Social Fund covers training for women under 25 years of age only? Is is not also a fact that there have been multiple complaints received from women throughout the country that they are unable to avail of these training schemes, being debarred from doing so?

The 40 per cent increase in expenditure on training for women in 1984 is explained by the fact that in 1984 more funds became available generally for the training of adults from the European Social Fund. I am not sure if that fully answers the intent of the Deputy's question but, where we deem it to be appropriate, we are using funds from the European Social Fund to extend programmes in this country. To that extent we are endeavouring to ensure that those women who wish to undergo training with AnCO or any related training course are given every opportunity to do so.

Are the funds of the European Social Fund now allowed to be used for over 25s? Has the difficulty experienced in spending finance on courses in respect of people over 25 years of age been clarified or resolved?

I would have to have notice of that question from the Deputy because, as he will readily concede, the operation of the European Social Fund is quite complex and there exist many factors and criteria in relation to eligibility for assistance therefrom. But large amounts of money are available from the Social Fund for courses for people over 25 years of age.

Would the Minister accept that in the years 1977 to 1980 the majority of our population, because of the birth rate, was under 25 and that that proportion has now shifted so that unemployed people are no longer that young, that the age bracket for this year is now 25 to 29?

I accept that that has become part of the new profile of statistics and was one of the reasons we raised the question of action for people over 25 years of age who had been unemployed for over one year or who were long term unemployed, as categorised by the EC.