§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the National Board of Education has, through its inspecting staff or otherwise, taken any steps to facilitate the introduction of the bilingual scheme of education into schools in suitable places, or whether it -is prepared to co-operate to any extent with managers and teachers in Irish-speaking or bilingual districts so as to enable the children to be educated through the only language they know, or the one they know best; and, if so, to what extent.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The Commissioners have approved of a bilingual programme which they are prepared to sanction in suitable cases on the application of managers of national schools. I have forwarded to the hon. Member a copy of this programme, and of the instructions relating 733 to it which have been issued by the Commissioners to their inspectors.