§ Mr. THOMAS O'DONNELLasked what provision is made in each of the training colleges recognised by the National Board for the training of King's scholars both in Irish and methods of language teaching, the number of students from each college who presented themselves for examination in Irish last July, and the number who obtained certificates?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that provision is made for the instruction of the King's scholars in Irish in all the training colleges, except the Church of Ireland 2094 Training College in Dublin, by (the appointment of a professor or teacher of Irish. The Commissioners examine any students presented to them by the authorities of the colleges with a view to their recognition as being qualified to teach Irish. The question of providing training in the methods of teaching Irish and in the principles of bilingual teaching is under consideration. The number of students presented for examination in Irish last July and the numbers who qualified were as follows:—Marlborough Street Training College—fifteen presented, one qualified; St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra—fifty-nine presented, seven qualified; Blackrock Training Oollegie— thirty-one presented, five qualified; St. Mary's Training College, Belfast—twenty-three presented, six qualified; Limerick Training College, twenty-two presented, one qualified.
§ Mr. THOMAS O'DONNELLDo these figures not show that the training colleges have either an insufficient number of professors or that they are not giving sufficient time to the teaching of the subject?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe only conclusion I draw from it is that the examiners very wisely have to consider a high standard of excellence, and I hope they will adhere to it.
§ Mr. MOOREDoes the right lion. Gentleman still propose to waste public money to the extent of £10,000 a year in teaching a language which even the students do not care to acquire?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. and learned Member will surely recognise that when a language of this sort is being taught gradually and scholastically for the first time there must be considerable difficulty in obtaining the requisite standard of excellence. So long as a standard of excellence is maintained I, at all events, am quite satisfied.
§ Mr. MOORECan the right hon. Gentleman suggest that in view of these figures there is any national want for instruction in this language?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes. Obviously there is a great desire to learn the language.
§ Mr. THOMAS O'DONNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are more schools teaching the Irish language in the constituency of the hon. and learned Gentleman than in any other part of the North of Ireland?