§ 9. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the amount levied out of local rates by the education committees of public authorities in Ireland for various education purposes?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)Education committees in Ireland are not empowered to levy rates. The expenditure of these bodies, as shown in the accounts of local authorities for the year ended 31st March, 1913, amounted to £120,410, while the Grants-in-Aid received by such authorities during the same period in respect of such expenditure amounted to £40,478. The net expenditure, therefore, from local sources for the period was £79,932. The Local Government Board have no information as to the sums raised by local authorities by means of rates to meet the expenses of these committees.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLDoes that sum include moneys raised for university education?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not know that it does. As far as I can make out, this figure of £120,000 odd is made up of £16,623 for expenses in connection with the Compulsory Education Act of 1892, and £103,000 odd for technical education.
§ Mr. C. E. PRICEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will issue his answer among the Papers so that we can compare the figures with the figures for Scotland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI will consider that.