§ MR. W. FIELDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether Irish is removed from the course for assistant inspectors of National Schools; whether, in view of the fact that the study of Irish has for some years shown a continuous increase, especially in the National Schools; that the number of teachers seeking certificates in Irish has also annually increased; and that the Teachers' Congress has recently made a unanimous request for increased facilities for teaching Irish, he will reconsider the decision which has been arrived at in the matter?
§ * MR. GERALD BALFOURIrish is not included in the new programme adopted last year for examination of candidates for the office of Inspectors' Assistant. The Commissioners, however, in view of the desire expressed in some quarters to have Irish re-introduced into the programme, have decided to communicate with the Civil Service Commissioners and to recommend that Irish be again added as an optional subject.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)Is Greek included in the programme?
§ * MR. GERALD BALFOURPerhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman will put down a Question on the subject.