§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, within the last three years, eight inspectors, only three of whom knew Irish, have been appointed by the National Board, and that out of its 80 inspectors only about 10 are competent to examine in Irish; and whether, in view of the fact that in about 3,000 national schools Irish is now being taught, that the bilingual programme is in operation in about 150 schools, and that the work of examination is in arrear, he will see that two competent Irish speakers should be appointed to take, the places of the two competent Irish-speaking inspectors who have lately retired?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that of the eight inspectors referred to, four have a knowledge of Irish. There are 74 inspectors at present in the Board's service, and 15 of these are competent, to inspect Irish classes. Besides these there are six organisers of Irish language instruction. The Commissioners, with whom the appointments rest, desire to appoint the most eligible persons to fill the two existing vacancies, and they would prefer that the selected candidates should have a competent knowledge of Irish.