§ 82 and 83. Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary (1) whether he is aware that damage is being inflicted upon the educational interests of the children who attended the Coolavokig national school, Macroom, owing to the fact that it has been closed since October, 1912, and that these children have been deprived of all instruction in the meantime; whether the duty is cast upon the Commissioners of National Education of seeing that school-going children in every parish are provided with proper educational facilities; and what steps will be taken to bring these within reach of those who attend the Coolavokig school; (2) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Coolavokig national school, Macroom, has been closed since 8th October, 1912; can he state the circumstances which caused this result; have the Commissioners of National Education ordered any special inquiry into the matter; is he aware that the assistant teacher, Mary Galwin, has been deprived of her salary since the date mentioned, though in no wise concerned with any dispute that has occurred, and that she has given close upon forty-two years as a national teacher; will she be paid her salary for the period that the school is closed, seeing that she is not responsible in any way; and, if so, will payment of it be made through the usual channels?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that this school has been closed since 9th October last. Patrick Galvin, the principal teacher, was dismissed by the manager for sending school children to a public-house for porter and left the school on 5th October last. Mary Galvin, the assistant teacher referred to in the question, is his wife. The new principal teacher took up duty on 8th October, but, owing to violent local opposition, in connection with which thirteen men have been bound to the peace, he was unable to carry on the work of the school. The manager was therefore obliged to close the school, and has not yet been able to reopen it. The question of the payment of salary to the teachers of the school for the quarter ended 31st December is under consideration.
§ Mr. SHEEHANCan the right hon. Gentleman state when the school is likely to be opened, as that is the important point?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThat depends a great deal on the state of feeling in the district. I am most anxious, like everybody, that the school should be opened, but I am not able to state a particular date.
§ Mr. SHEEHANCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Commissioners of National Education have instituted any independent inquiry into the local circumstances?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not know as to that, but I will inquire.