§ MR. MARTINasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, if an allowance of 3½ per cent per annum be made on the money invested in the erection of the Gal way Model Schools, and the average annual cost of repairs and other expenses be calculated, it be not the fact that the amount expended by the Commissioners of National Education in preparing each child in the girl's department for the result examinations during the two years ending the 3lst March 1879, did not on an average for each child during these years exceed £9 each year; or, if not, can he state the amount expended by the Commissioners for each child during these years; has the aid given by the Commissioners for the preparation of each child in the 839 King's Inn Street Convent National School exceeded 10s.; and, if so, by what amount; is it not the fact that these last named schools have during these years supplied about thirty-one teachers, and the Model Schools but one, to other schools, or how otherwise; is it not the fact that in the last published Report of the Inspectors made by Mr. Gillies he has not stated that the King's Inn Street Schools was the best National School of any class he ever examined; and, whether, having regard to the small amount of State aid given to the King's Inn Street Schools and the high educational results there obtained, any steps have been taken or suggestions made with the view of increasing the payments made to the King's Inn Street Schools; and, if not, can he state the reasons for the continued application by the Commissioners in a manner so disproportionate to the educational work done as between the Model and King's Inn Street Schools?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, with regard to the Question of the hon. Member, I must say that as far as the money invested in the erection of the Galway Model Schools is concerned it would be impossible, or at any rate very difficult, to ascertain the proportion of the cost which was expended in the girl's department. As for the capitation grant, the amount per head in the Galway Model Schools in the year ending the 31st of March, 1878, was £7 4s., and in 1879 was about six guineas. The King's Inn Street Convent National Schools have had an average grant of 10s. per head; but in 1878 it was £1 2s. 8d., and in 1879, £1 3s. I have no information as to the last part of the Question, which opens up the whole question of the Model Schools, and I cannot at present enter into it.
§ MR. MARTINI beg to give Notice that I shall call attention to this subject on the Estimates for the Board of National Education in Ireland being brought forward.