Mr. James O'Donnell:

In response to Deputy Martin Kenny's question on how ICOS can help small and large co-operatives with training and education, in 2017 ICOS provided training through, and part-funded by, Skillnet Ireland to all co-operatives. We provide training including mart drovers' courses in marts, training for directors in large multinational co-operatives and for production supervisors on the ground. In total, we provided 1,350 people with training in the co-operative sector, which was funded through Skillnet Ireland, at a cost of €550,000 with matching funding coming from the co-operative sector, which cost the sector more than €325,000. ICOS helps and this year we intend to develop it further with regard to health and safety in the marts and with the director of training at the Plunkett Institute, in conjunction with University College Cork.