§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the National Education Board, Ireland, have withdrawn the circular dealing with the teaching of Irish as an extra in Irish schools.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe circular had reference to the teaching of extra subjects, of which Irish was one, outside the ordinary school hours, for which a special fee is payable. Instruction in these subjects in all national schools and in all standards during ordinary school hours, which had already been sanctioned by the Commissioners, is not in any way affected by the circular. On the 8th instant †, I explained at some length the effect of this circular as well as the intentions of the Commissioners in respect of certain matters upon which I had sought their observations. A further explanatory circular, which will remove the doubts created by that of January, is about to be issued by the Commissioners. The arrangement under which special fees will be payable hereafter for Irish appears to me to be more liberal than formerly.