§ MR. JOHN O'CONNOR (Kildare, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland have recommended in their recent Report that means should be provided of giving junior assistant mistresses appointed since 1st July, 1906, suitable training in kindergarten and 808 object lessons, and have submitted proposals for giving effect to such recommendation; if so, how many junior assistant mistresses have been appointed since last July; has any provision been mode for their training in kindergarten methods; if no such provision has been made what is the cause of the delay; and will the carrying out of the recommendations of the Commissioners be expedited.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The fact is as stated in the first part of the Question. The Commissioners inform me that, since 1st July, 1906, 474 junior assistant mistresses have boon appointed. No provision has yet been made for their training in kindergarten methods, but the Commissioners have submitted proposals upon the subject. These proposals have called for much consideration, but I hope that there will be no undue delay in arriving at a conclusion in the matter.