CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that no grant whatever is made by the National Board or any other Government Department towards heating Downshire national school, Dundrum, county Down, or other national schools in Ireland, but that the cost of heating has to be defrayed by the teachers out of their salaries or by raising money by voluntary subscription; and whether, in view of the climatic conditions prevailing in Ireland, he will take immediate steps to remedy this state of affairs.
MR. BRYCEI am informed that the fact is as stated in the first part of the Question. I understand that the fuel used in national schools generally takes the form of turf which is provided by the pupils, with occasional help from the teacher or manager. I should be glad to see proper fires in these schools, but the Commissioners of National Education have estimated that the cost would amount to about £24,000 a year. In England and Scotland the cost is not borne by the State. The whole question of expenditure upon national schools is now under consideration.
CAPTAIN CRAIGWill the right hon. Gentleman sympathetically consider the advisability of making some other 374 arrangement so that the schools may be warmed in wintry weather?
MR. BRYCEI should be very glad to, but the matter also requires sympathetic consideration from the National Board.