§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education have received any complaints about the teaching of the Poyntz Pass (No. 1) National School; whether he is aware that a number of the children have been withdrawn by their parents from that school; whether he can explain why the school has not been examined this year by the Government Inspector; whether he will state the nature of the inspector's report of the last examination, and when it was held, and also the cause of the disorganisation of this school, and the nature of the complaints made regarding it; and whether the Commissioners will take any, and, if so, what steps to make the school efficient.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe reply to the first two queries is in the affirmative. The date for holding the annual examination of the school has been changed from January to April, owing to a rearrangement of the inspection work of the district. The last yearly examination was in January, 1901. The inspector's report is a confidential document, and, as such, its contents cannot be disclosed. The persons objecting to the school desire to have the present female teacher removed, and a male teacher appointed. The Commissioners will take such action as may appear to them to be required.