§ MR. J. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the Commissioners of National Education have been paying fees for Irish for the academic year 1906–7, even though the subject was taught within school hours and Rule 107 was then, as at present, in existence; that they now, however, say that owing to the rule mentioned they cannot pay for the current year 1907–8 unless the subject is taught outside school hours; and what explanation the Commissioners offer.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.Prior to 1906, fees were paid for Irish as an extra subject only. In 1906, fees for all extra subjects, including Irish, were withdrawn, and a small scale of fees was sanctioned for Irish taught as an ordinary school subject. The withdrawal of fees 71 for Irish as an extra subject gave rise to much dissatisfaction amongst persons interested in the revival of the Irish language, and as a result it was decided to restore the system of paying fees for Irish as an extra subject, but upon a substantially higher scale. Consequent upon this restoration, payment for Irish as an ordinary school subject ceased, for it was never intended that the subject should be paid for both as an extra branch and as an ordinary school subject. It was not, therefore, in consequence of Rule 107 that payment for Irish during school hours ceased, but, as I have stated, because of the restoration of fees for Irish as an extra subject. I may, however, mention that in those schools in which the bilingual programme is in operation, the Commissioners make grants for instructions in Irish given during school hours.