§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, what are the educational grounds on which it has been decided to restore the extra grant for teaching Irish in the national schools of Ireland; and further, whether the great majority of children attending national schools in Ireland leave school at a very early age; and whether he will state what practical benefit these children will derive from a study of the Irish language during hours which might be used for more profitable instruction.
MR. BRYCEIt is not the fact that the great majority of children attending national schools in Ireland leave at a very early age. The average age of leaving does not substantially differ from that in England, though the attendance is much more irregular. The proposals for aiding the teaching of the Irish language, which are at present the subject of communications between my- 516 self and the National Board and the Treasury, do not contemplate the restoration of the same extra grant which it was decided last year to withdraw. They are intended to provide more effective methods of aiding the study of Irish, which will, it is hoped, give better results. That study ought not, however, to be allowed to interfere with the necessary subjects of elementary instruction. It is impossible, within the limits of an Answer to a Question to state the grounds which lead me to believe that the teaching of Irish has a real educational value, but I shall be prepared to explain them on a proper occasion.
§ MR. J. REDMOND (Waterford)When does the right hon. Gentleman hope to be in a position to explain his scheme?