CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the amount of State aid granted to Maynooth College and Queen's College, Belfast, 1528 respectively, since their establishment, the number of students at present on the rolls, and the present rateable value of these two colleges, respectively.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that Question, may I ask him if he is aware that the first grant to Maynooth College was made by an Irish Parliament, composed exclusively of Irish Protestants?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.Yes, Sir; I knew that.
§ MR. BIRRELLIt was given in evidence before the Robertson Commission on University Education in Ireland that Maynooth College received from the State amounts varying from £8,000 to £9,000 a year from its foundation in 1795 up till 1845, when the annual grant was increased to £26,360 a year. This latter grant was continued until 1871 when it was withdrawn, the sum of £369,040, representing fourteen years' purchase, being paid to the college in compensation, out of the Irish Church Fund. The Board of Works also expended on buildings and maintenance, and remission of building loans, the sum of £52,835. The Queen's College, Belfast, has received £7,000 a year since its foundation, together with grants-in-aid, amounting in all to £82,600, and the Board of Works have expended on buildings and maintenance £95,558. The number of students at Maynooth for the year 1907–8 is 562; the number at Belfast for the current winter session is 380. Both of the colleges are exempt from rating.