§ MR. BOLANDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether permission will be given to teachers of national schools to attend 607 the Irish training colleges at Mount Partry and Ballingeary for the course of six weeks, without being compelled to provide a substitute; and whether he is aware that this permission is given to teachers who attend technical courses.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe Answer to the first inquiry is in the negative, and to the second in the affirmative. Elementary science is a compulsory subject of the school programme, while Irish is an optional subject. Instruction in Irish can be obtained by the teachers after school hours in most districts.