§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked why it is that special provision is made for teaching certain subjects to students in Irish training colleges while practically nothing is done for the training of teachers in Irish, which is now regarded by all Irish educationists as specially important; and whether, seeing that the great majority of schools in Ireland now require teachers with a knowledge of Irish, the training colleges will be required to prepare teachers to teach those subjects which the nation demands?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that with the exception of the Church of Ireland Training College, Dublin, provision is made for the instruction in Irish of the King's scholars in each of the training colleges, and the Commissioners also grant aid to special colleges for the teaching of Irish. The Commissioners are endeavouring to meet the demand for teachers having a knowledge of Irish by granting aid to special colleges for the instruction of teachers in that language.