§ MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in national schools in Ireland other than the model schools, any official arrangement exists for heating the schools in winter; whether the National Board have any power to secure that the schools are properly heated, and take steps to do so, and out of what fund the cost of heating is paid; and whether any distinction exists in this respect between ordinary national schools and the model schools, which are generally attended by the children of well-to-do parents; and, if so, what the reason of this distinction is.
§ MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. G. W. BALFOUR)No arrangement such as referred to in the first paragraph exists, but the schools are supposed to be kept by the local managers in a fit state for the reception of pupils at all times of the year. The Commissioners have no power to compel the proper heating of schools other than model schools; they would, however, draw the attention of the manager to any case of serious neglect. The model schools are under the direct control and management of the board, hence the duty of heating these schools devolves upon the board.