§ Mr. THOMAS F. SMYTHasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how many agricultural colleges have been established in Ireland, and in what counties they are situate; the cost of building and equipping same; how much has been contributed by the Department and the different county councils for the purchase of each; how much is being contributed by both bodies towards their upkeep annually; and whether an agricultural college will be established in county Leitrim, with a view to assisting the farmers of that county and improving their methods of agriculture, particularly as it is such a highly congested area?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI understand that agricultural instruction for resident male students is at present provided at four institutions in Ireland, and the estimated expenditure by the Department for the maintenance of these institutions during the year 1909–10 is as follows:—
No contribution has been made by any county council towards the establishment or maintenance of any of these institutions. The Department have no present intention of establishing an agricultural college in county Leitrim.
Albert Agricultural College, county Dublin £4,000 Ballyhaise Agricultural Station, county Cavan 3,000 Clonakilty Agricultural Station, county Cork 2,000 Mount Bellew Agricultural College, county Galway 1,000