§ MR. FINUCANE (Limerick, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that Mr. Sullivan, Inspector of National Schools, examined the boys and girls schoolrooms in Murroe, County Limerick, in years 1886 and 1887, and reported to the Board that those rooms were only a "little more than half large enough;" that Mr. McNeill, another Inspector, made a similar Report in 1888; whether, in a 1750 correspondence between Sir Croker Barrington, manager of those schools, and the Education Board, the latter stated that "either the schools should be enlarged, or the attendance diminished;" whether the Board has requested the manager to enlarge the schools; whether he has refused; whether the number of girls on the roll for the year ending January 31, 1888, was 161; average daily attendance for same period, 104, the dimensions of the school room being 34 feet long, 18 feet broad, and 12 feet high; and, whether the number of boys on the roll in the years 1886–1887, were respectively 184 and 176, the dimensions of school room being the same as those of girls; and, if the above facts exist, will he direct the Education Board to take such action as may be necessary, to ensure adequate accommodation for the children attending those schools?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the facts are substantially as given in the Question. The manager, Sir Croker Barrington, in November last stated to the Commissioners that, having failed to get any local assistance towards the expense of the enlargement, he was not prepared to contribute the amount required by the Regulations—namely, a third of the total cost, the Commissioners contributing the remaining two-thirds from the Parliamentary grant. The Commissioners thereupon required of him to reduce the attendance to the number which the rooms are capable of accommodating; and, in consequence, a considerable reduction has taken place.