§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIEN (for Mr. Francis Meehan)asked whether the Board of Education have received a copy of a resolution passed by the Kinlough Rural District Council, county Leitrim, protesting against the proposed amalgamation and closing of schools in that district; how many schools the Board purposed closing, and where situated; how many schools they purposed building, and where; and whether, in the interest of education and convenience of the children and parents, the Board would abandon their scheme and continue the schools which have done good service and maintained the standard average attendance?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe resolution referred to has been received by the Commissioners of National Education. The Commissioners inform me that grants have been withdrawn in the case of Askill and Ward-house schools. The Commissioners have under consideration an application for a grant to erect a central school-house to replace Glenade and Loughmarron schools and a similar application in respect of Boyannagh and Loughill schools. In the former case the proposed central school would be situated at an intermediate point on the road between the existing schools, and in the case of the latter near the junction of the three roads leading from Loughill, Askill, and Boyannagh, but the site is not yet definitely fixed. The Commissioners consider that the educational interests of the pupils will be much better served in properly equipped central schools of modern design and conveniently situated.