§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the statement in the general Report on Irish, published in the Appendix to the Seventy-sixth Report of the Commissioners of National Education, that very often the time available for teaching Irish in national schools is wasted or frittered away unprofitably; and if he will consider the advisability of abolishing the payment of fees for teaching Irish as an extra subject, and using the money so saved to remove the limitation as to the number of teachers who can receive first-grade pay, and to promote the health and comfort of the children by making a grant for the heating and cleansing of the national schools?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMy attention has been called to the statement referred to. The Commissioners of National Education do not hold themselves responsible for the opinion expressed in the general reports of their inspectors, but at the same time they can see nothing in the statement that would warrant them in recommending the abolition of the payment of fees for Irish as an extra subject. These fees are paid only when Irish is taught in a satisfactory manner. The money granted for the encouragement of instruction in the Irish language cannot be used for other purposes.
§ Mr. MOOREWill the right hon. Gentleman see that an extra fee will be paid for teaching French as an additional subject?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Education authorities in Ireland as well as in England agree that the teaching of the language of a country is the first and most important element of teaching?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI think if the hon. Member reads the report referred to he will find that, although the inspector criticises in some respects the manner in which Irish is taught, he is perfectly agreed that it is a most valuable thing to be taught.
Captain CRAIGIs the policy of the Commissioners to teach Irish at considerable expense to the country, and to allow the children to proceed to schools to learn other subjects which are not in a fit sanitary condition and ill-heated for the reception of children?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe sanitary condition of the schools does not arise out of the question.