§ MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the salary of the Roman Catholic Chaplain of Donegal Workhouse has been raised; and, if so, when; whether any grounds were ever stated by the Roman Catholic chaplain for such increase; and, if so, 1224 what were they; whether the duties of chaplains as to catechising children are specified in the chaplain's books; and, if so, what are they; what were the number of visits paid by the respective chaplains of Donegal Workhouse for this purpose in the years 1880, 1881, 1882, and 1883; whether any reports have been made as to the frequency or not of such visits; what are the arrangements with regard to the catechising of Roman Catholic children in Donegal Workhouse, and whether they have hitherto worked satisfactorily; whether he is aware that the Roman Catholic Bishop has prohibited any priest under his jurisdiction from acting as chaplain to the workhouse; and, what are the number of children at present in the workhouse?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)handed the reply to the hon. Gentleman, which was as follows:—The Clerk of Donegal Union reports that—1 and 2. The salary of the Roman Catholic chaplain was increased in 1868, on the ground that he was obliged to instruct and catechise the inmates of the workhouse. 3. This duty is specfied in the chaplain's books as follows:—That the chaplains are to examine and catechise the children not less than once in every month, and after each of such examinations record the same, and state the general progress of the children in a book to be kept for that purpose, to be laid before the Guardians. 4. In 1880 the Roman Catholic chaplain paid two visits, the Protestant chaplain 23 visits. In 1881 the Roman Catholic chaplain paid one visit, the Protestant chaplain 20 visits. In 1882 the Roman Catholic chaplain paid 1 visit, the Protestant chaplain 20 visits; and in part of 1883 the Roman Catholic chaplain paid 4 visits, and the Protestant chaplain 10 visits. 5. The Local Government Inspector did complain in January, 1883, of the neglect of his duties on the part of the Roman Catholic chaplain in not catechising the children, and similar complaints had previously been made by successive Inspectors against successive chaplains. 6. When the schoolmistress is a Protestant a senior pupil (R.C.) acts as a monitor to hear the Roman Catholic children repeat their catechism, &c., and to teach the younger, and this system has been carried out 1225 satisfactorily. 7. The statement respecting the Roman Catholic Bishop is correct. 8. The number of Roman Catholic children is 14, and of Protestant 5. Total, 19.