§ 58. Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked the Vice-President of the. Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can state the amount of money expended by the Department during the last year on the secondary schools of the Christian Brothers, and the amount similarly expended on any other convent or monastery schools?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Grants paid last year in respect of instruction afforded under the Department's programme of experimental science, drawing, and other subjects for day secondary schools to schools conducted by the Christian Brothers was £7,034; to schools conducted by other male religious teaching orders £2,738, and to convent schools £5,789.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONAre these sums of money paid out of moneys provided by Parliament?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThey are either moneys provided by Parliament or out of the statutory income.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLIs it not a fact that these men give secondary education to the children of the poor free and gratis, and that whatever remuneration is paid is given as the result of competitive examination?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThat undoubtedly is so.