§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Cork)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how long it will take to train the twenty young men recently selected by the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) for admission to the course of instruction in the manual training (woodwork) so as to qualify them to give instruction in woodwork, as itinerant instructors under county schemes, in the technical schools which are now being organised throughout Ireland, or in day secondary schools, under the conditions of the Department's regulations for such schools; how long will it take the instructors so trained to impart adequate instruction to the boys and girls in the Irish schools; is the Department considering how best to utilise the acquirements of the children so trained; whether, considering the lack of enterprise in Ireland, steps will be taken for employing the trained children in various industries; whether the Department has power to initiate such industries; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of giving such power to the Department, or to some other body.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe course of graining for these teachers will last six months. The time limits of the course to be given to pupils by the instructors when trained 24 must necessarily vary according to circumstances. The object of the courses is educational, i.e., to form habits which will be of value to the pupils whatever may be their subsequent career in life. As regards the latter part of the Question, the Department's function with respect to industries other than those specified in Section 30 (1) of the Act of 1899, is to provide assistance by means of technical instruction, and to afford information and expert advice.