Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and type of all courses available in a FÁS centre (details supplied) in County Donegal; if there are plans to expand or reduce the number of such courses; and the number of trainees in attendance there at present. [38562/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by FÁS that the following courses are run in-centre in the FÁS Training Centre, Gweedore:

1. Computer Applications & Accounts/Manual & Computerised Accounts & Payroll/Basic Keyboard & Computer Skills (these 3 courses alternate in-centre depending on demand)

2. Traditional Stonebuilding.

3. Carpentry & Joinery Apprenticeship (Phase 2).

4. Plumbing Apprenticeship (Phase 2).

5. Electrical Apprenticeship (Phase 2).

There are currently 68 apprentices and trainees attending the Gweedore Training Centre with a further 55 trainees on Contracted (External) Training. The following courses are run or are planned to run through Contracted Training in the various localities attached to Gweedore Training Services, subject to demand:

ECDL;

Computer Applications & Accounts;

Childcare Traineeship;

Healthcare Assistant Traineeship;

Beauty Therapy.

In the future, FÁS also plans to develop Gweedore Training Centre to deliver courses in the area of Renewable Energies, particularly solar and wind turbine. This is dependent on funding availability. A Dry Stonebuilding Course is currently being developed in partnership with the Stonebuilding industry and also the Donegal Stonebuilding Association. While there are no immediate plans to reduce either the availability of courses or the numbers trained the downturn in the construction industry may lead to reduced numbers in apprenticeship courses in 2009.