§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (for Mr. KENNY)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If free stock was given to National Schools in Ireland until about the year 1860, and if it consisted of maps, black boards, tablets, charts, and other requisites for teaching purposes; for what reason these were discontinued, and if there is any objection to renew such grants; for what reason schools vested in the Commissioners are placed in a better position with regard to grants for building and repairing than ordinary vested schools; and, if it is proposed to take any steps to place them on an equality?
MR. CAMPBELL-BANNEEMANFree grants of requisites are given in the case of all new schools, and also in cases where school houses are enlarged, or otherwise structurally improved. The owners of the school fabric are in all cases bound to keep it in repair. In the case of non-vested schools the Trustees are the owners, and in the case of vested schools the Commissioners of National Education are the owners.