§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY (Limerick, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say what has been the average number of children in daily attendance for the last twelve months in the boys' and girls' schools, respectively, at Kilmeedy, in County Limerick; what has been the tenor of the inspectors' reports for the last three years on these schools; in what category, excellent, very good, good, fair, have these schools been placed by the Commissioners of National Education; has either of them got any special distinction for efficiency, and, if so, what is that distinction; and whether it is with a view to the further efficiency of these schools or on grounds of thrift that the Treasury overrides the judgment of the Commissioners of National Education, and insists that they shall be maintained in their pre sent unsatisfactory condition or broken up altogether and amalgamated.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The average attendance at Kilmeedy boys' school 1135 during the twelve months ending 30th June last was thirty-nine, and at the girls' school sixty-two. The inspectors' reports upon both schools for the past three years were very favourable, and the schools were placed in categories ranging from good to excellent. In 1903 the principal teacher of the girls' school was awarded one of the Carlisle and Blake premiums, as being one of the most deserving teachers under the Board. I have already informed the hon. Member of the reason why the existing rule as to building grants for separate boys' and girls' schools must be maintained. The amalgamation of small schools in Ireland is considered to be a pressing necessity in the interests both of efficiency and of economy.