MR. BORESFORDasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Irish National School Teachers who recently waited on the Lord Lieutenant were correct in stating to His Excellency that the Commissioners of Public Works refuse to grant loans of money under "The National School Teachers' Residences (Ireland) Act, 1875," for the improvement of houses already occupied as residences of National Teachers; and, whether loans were formerly granted for the same purpose for which it is alleged grants are now refused; and, if such a restriction has been imposed on the granting of loans, whether Government will relax the conditions under which money is lent so as to facilitate the improvements of unsuitable existing residences without entailing on school managers the expense of erecting new structures?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, I understand that, owing to an oversight in the Rules that were issued in 1881 by the National Education Commissioners, the Board of Works, in some few cases, were entirely precluded from making, and had, in fact, had no option but to decline to make, loans for the improvement of houses already occupied as teachers' residences. But that error in the Rules has now been rectified, and the Board will be able to make such loans, on the same footing as for new 34 residences, if the alterations proposed be reported as reasonable and necessary, and the cost not less than £50.