§ Mr. MOOREasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he would state what money in the last financial year was placed at the disposal of the Commissioners of National Education for the teaching of Irish in Irish national schools; if he was aware that the inspector to the Commissioners has reported that in the standards above the second the teaching is more or less of a sham; and if the Government will reduce or withdraw the grant in this subject, or apportion it equally between French and German studies?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe amount available for the teaching of Irish in national schools in the financial year 1908–9 was £14,400. An inspector has reported that the teaching of Irish as an optional subject only in standards above the second is more or less of a sham. There are, however, no fees paid for such teaching. The answer to the concluding paragraph of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. MOOREWill the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the waste of public money in teaching this senseless subject?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI think that Irish well taught is an admirable subject.
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt is difficult to say who benefits by any education. [An HON. MEMBER: "Bear it like a, man."]
§ Mr. LONSDALEWould this money not be better used for cleaning and heating the schools?