§ MR. SEXTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in view of the fact that the Irish National Education Board has paid results fees for passes in book-keeping for the past 10 years in Castle Hill National School, Gilford, though the time always devoted to the subject was only two half-hours per week, and that the Board has never refused to pay fees to this school for passes in algebra, geometry, physical geography, music, or drawing, the time devoted to each of these subjects being two half-hours weekly, will he explain under what rule the Board has this year refused to pay the fees for book-keeping, not because the time given to it was less than formerly or less than that given to any other voluntary or extra subject, but simply because the two lessons in each week were given on the same day; and, considering that the time given to this subject was as much for last year as for any other extra subject taught in the school during the past 10 years, and also considering that 92 per cent. of those presented passed the examination, will the Board, upon reconsideration, pay the amount withheld?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Commissioners of National Education report that at the recent results examination the certificate of the teacher mentioned showed that the total number of days in the results year on which book-keeping had been taught was 41, and that only one lesson weekly had been given. The Commissioners regarded this as obviously inadequate, and accordingly declined to pay results fees for the subject. In previous years this teacher had certified that book-keeping had been taught for a number of days, varying from 87 to 94, and on these representations results fees were paid. As regards the other extra branches, the teacher had certified that they had been taught for 88 days in the last results year at the rate of two lessons weekly. This was regarded by the Commissioners as an adequate provision, and results fees were accordingly paid. The Commissioners do not think the case one for re-consideration.
§ MR. SEXTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Intermediate 776 Education Board expended in the year 1890 34 per cent. of their income on working expenses, and only 27 percent, on results fees, averaging 10s. per head on the students taught; whether the additional grant under "The Local Taxation Act, 1890," must be applied for both or either of the purposes following: for the payment of results fees to school managers, for the payment of prizes to students, the Educational Endowments Commission having strongly urged exclusive application to the former purpose, whether the head masters of the Protestant and the Catholic Colleges have presented a joint Memorial to the Board protesting against the establishment of new grades and the consequent indefinite increase of working expenses, and asking for the application of the grant by way of results fees, which should be paid on students who are above the age limits prescribed for prize winners as well as on under age students; and whether the Board has deferred the consideration of the Memorial until November next; and whether, in view of the fact that the new preparatory grade will come into practical operation in September, when new classes must be formed and teachers engaged to prepare for the new examinations, and thus an obstacle will be created to the free consideration of the Memorial in November, the Board will suspend the rules establishing this new grade until they shall have decided on the Petition of the head masters?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Assistant Commissioners of Intermediate Education report that the amount expended on administration by the Board in 1890 was £3,445 6s. 4d., and on "examinations" £7,702 9s. 3d. The amount expended on results fees was £8,894 3s., averaging about £2 17s. per head for each successful student.