§ MR. S. YOUNG (Cavan, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that in Ireland, there are over 2,500 deaf mutes of school age absolutely uneducated; that there are about 2,000 who in private institutions have received any education at all; that there is no State-aid, notwithstanding that in 1889 the Royal Commission reported in favour of legislation for these schools; and whether, in view of this state of things, the Government will introduce a Bill, with provisions similar to those which are in force in England and Scotland, in which State-aid will be granted for the education of these persons?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURAccording to the census of 1891 there were at that time 2,462 deaf and dumb persons of all ages who were returned as uneducated throughout Ireland, but of these only 947 were under 20 years of age and only 729 under the maximum school-going age in Ireland—namely, 15 years. There were at the same date only 533 deaf and dumb persons of all ages in Charitable Educational Institutes in Ireland, of whom 358 were under 15 years of age. I am aware of the recommendations in the Report of the Royal Commission of 1889, and hope to be able at some time to introduce legislation dealing with the matter so far as Ireland is concerned, though I fear there is no chance of my being able to do so this Session.