§ Mr. JOHN PHILLIPSasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he would call on the National Board of Education (Ireland) to state the exact number of schools exempt from Rule 127b; the reasons for such exemption; and why the little village national school of Ardagh, county Longford, did not come under the like exemption?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The preparation of a 597 Return showing the number of schools exempt from the rule in question, and the grounds of exemption, would take a very considerable time, and I do not think that the value of the Return would justify me in asking the Commissioners of National Education to prepare it. Exemption may be granted where there is no suitable school under a mistress available in the locality, or where the enforcement of the Rule would probably entail the loss of an assistant teacher. Neither of these conditions exists in the case of the Ardagh school.