Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff employed at the centre of excellence at Mount Locus, County Offaly; the grade of same staff; the number intended to be employed at the centre in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48175/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons who have been trained at the centre of excellence at Mount Locus, County Offaly since its opening to December 2009; the projected number of trainees expected to use the centre in 2010; the projected number of trainees who are expected to use the facility per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48176/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the costs, including staff wages, of running the centre of excellence at Mount Locus, County Offaly since it opened to December 2009; the expected average annual cost of running the centre in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48177/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will outline by type the training courses provided at the centre of excellence at Mount Locus, County Offaly in 2009; the training courses by type that will be provided in the centre in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48178/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 to 47, inclusive, together.

The National Construction Centre at Mount Lucas was established to provide training of plant construction operators, including delivery of the full range of Construction Skills Certification Scheme programmes and Safepass, for which FÁS is the designated competent authority under the relevant Statutory Instrument (Recognition of Professional Qualifications Regulations 2008, SI no 139 of 2008). The Centre focuses on the development of skills used in Civil Engineering and Commercial Building sectors. Currently there are 1 Assistant Manager (Grade 7), 1 Instructor (Grade 8) and 1 Administration Assistant (Grade 10) based in the Centre. These are supplemented when necessary by technical support.

In 2009 two courses took place with a total of 10 trainees. One course is already scheduled for 2010, and more will be rolled out during the year. The mix will depend on the numbers presenting for training and the type of training required. Provision could therefore consist of 4 Construction Plant courses with 24 trainees or an alternative mix could be 3 Construction Plant courses with 18 trainees; 3 Cranes courses with 6 trainees (lower ratio) and 2 Banksman courses with 2 trainees (lower ratio). The costs in 2009 were made up of staff costs (€207,115), overhead costs (€191,000), training allowances (€26,603 to end November) and other training costs (€41,854) including some one-off set-up costs. The budget for 2010 has yet to be finalised.