asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of proposals by AnCO to downgrade the training centre at Ballina, County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballina Training Centre.
11.
AnCO have no plans to downgrade or move the mobile training centre, which is located in Ballina.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that there is a proposal to move a course from the Ballina centre to the Sligo centre, and would he not agree that, in view of the proposed industrial expansion in the Ballina-Killala region, this is a retrograde step? Would he not also agree that it is not in line with the five-year training expansion programme which has been launched by AnCO, a statement in connection with which is contained in AnCO News of February, No. 4, 1974:
At the same time AnCO will pay particular regard in its planning to likely employment prospects, using its own manpower intelligence resources, and continuing close liaison with the National Manpower Service, IDA and other agencies.
I am not aware of a transfer of any of the functions of the Ballina unit to anywhere else. What has happened is that responsibility for managerial control of the Ballina course has been transferred from the permanent centre in Galway to the permanent centre recently opened in Sligo. This, the Minister says, is not a downgrading but a matter of managerial convenience.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not accept that there is a downgrading in that certain courses are being transferred from Ballina to Sligo, and would he have the Minister investigate this and would he also get in touch with AnCO in Sligo?
The Minister does not accept that any question of downgrading arises. So far as managerial responsibility for the unit is concerned, it is being switched to Sligo for reasons of pure administrative convenience. I may also tell the Deputy that because of the placement difficulties with the trainees, the courses at Ballina will be changed to meet the anticipated needs of new industrial development and partly to improve the placement rate of trainees. However, I do assure the Deputy that the Minister's view is that no question of downgrading arises.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not accept that, in view of the employment targets given by the Minister for Industry and Commerce in answer to a question approximately a fortnight ago, a permanent centre should be established by AnCO on the industrial estate in Ballina?
I am aware that there are interests that are anxious to have this done but AnCO are not satisfied it would be justified.