§ 15. Captain SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the County Cork Committee of Agriculture demanding increased financial State-aid for the development of agricultural schemes and education in agricultural science in Ireland, and reminding the Government that the local authorities in Ireland voluntarily raise rates for those purposes, basing the demand not only upon the right of Ireland to an equivalent to the increased expenditure on education in England and Scotland but also upon the fact that agricultural schemes and education have advanced so rapidly since their inception that they have outgrown their original endowments, which have been actually reduced since the beginning of the War, setting forth that the response to the demand for more home-produced food, amounting to 700,000 acres 896 of increased tillage in 1917. together with the further anticipated increase of 500,000 acres in 1918, render this claim one of urgent national importance, and further making the demand for higher rates of remuneration for instructors, the establishment of a pension scheme for whole-time officers, and the provision of war bonuses having undivided support, and urging on the Government the pressing necessity of satisfying these just and equitable claims; and can he state whether he has made any representations to the Government on this matter; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture have received a number of resolutions from county committees of agriculture and technical instruction on the subject of the necessity for increased funds for the maintenance and development of agricultural and educational schemes. I am glad to be able to state that sanction has been given to the provision of a sum of £25,000 in aid of the work of county committees of agriculture, and also to a sum of £16,500 for the continuation of the war bonus to the various whole-time officers, who are not paid from the Department's Vote, including whole-time officers of county committees.
§ Captain SHEEHANThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered that part of the question referring to a pension scheme for whole-time officers?
§ 16. Mr. J. O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is intended to introduce legislation at an early date to facilitate the development of agricultural schemes promoted by agricultural committees in Ireland and to so amend the Local Government (Ireland) Acts, 1889–99, as to enable the local authorities to maintain their schemes, to secure officers of agricultural committees in their positions, to provide adequate salaries and superannuation allowances for the same, and generally to increase the funds available for the promotion and development of agriculture in Ireland?
§ Mr. DUKEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As I have just stated, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Mid-Cork, additional funds have been recently provided for the promotion and development of agriculture in Ireland.