§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Miss Mollie Hayes, of Lodge Hospital, county Limerick, an applicant for admission to one of the dairy schools conducted by the Department of Agriculture, received a letter on 30th March from the Secretary of the Department asking if she was in readiness to enter Cookstown School on 4th April, and, if she was not, stating that her name would be erased from the list of applicants, is he aware that Miss Hayes replied in the affirmative, and on the strength of the message from the Department gave up her employment and expended money on the purchase of the necessary outfit; and that, on the eve of her departure for Cookstown, she received a telegram from the Department informing her that there was no vacancy at Cookstown School; and will the Department make her any allowance in compensation for the loss of her employment, or engage to find admission for her to a dairy school without further delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the Department of Agriculture that a notice inquiring whether Miss Hayes would be 845W in readiness to enter the Ulster Dairy School, Cookstown, on the 4th instant, provided a vacancy for her was found to exist, was sent to Miss Hayes on 28th March, and it was expected that some additional vacancies would occur. It did not state that Miss Hayes' name would be erased from the list of applicants it she was not ready to enter. The notice was not an admission order, but stated distinctly that admission orders would be issued to applicants for whom there were vacancies. The additional vacancies did not occur, and Miss Hayes was notified to that effect as soon as it was ascertained that she could not be admitted. She was at the same time informed that her name would be retained on the register for admission to the session beginning in July next. This is the earliest date on which she could be admitted to the Ulster or other Dairy School. As any loss which Miss Hayes may have sustained through resignation of her employment is due to her having acted in anticipation of receiving an admission order, the Department cannot accept any responsibility in the matter.