§ MR. LONSDALETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the amount available, including the sum to be voted in this year's Estimates, for the building, enlarging, and improving of Irish primary schools; and whether he has estimated what further sum will be required to place these schools in a satisfactory condition.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I beg to refer the hon. Member to the Estimates for the coming financial year which are now before the House. In the Estimate for Public Works and Buildings, Ireland, a sum of £40,000 is provided for the building and enlargement of national schools, and in the Ireland Development Grant Estimate a sum of £25,000 is provided. I am unable to procure anything approaching an accurate estimate of the total amount required to place national schoolhouses in a satisfactory condition, but obviously a very considerable amount will be necessary.