Mr. T. WILSONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in connection with the grant to reformatory and industrial schools in Ireland to meet increased expenses, he is aware that the Dublin Corporation decided to withhold their share of the grant until the institutions concerned agreed to pay their employé s the district rates of wages; whether he is aware that the manager of the Arlane Industrial School, Dublin, refuses to meet the trade unions to negotiate on the question of wages; and whether the withholding of the grant by the Dublin Corporation will automatically withhold the Government grant in this particular case?
§ Mr. DUKEI am not aware of the decision arrived at by the Dublin Corporation in regard to the matter referred to; but, if they do not increase the capitation632W grant in respect of inmates in reformatory and industrial schools from the City of Dublin by Is. per week, the additional capitation grant of Is. per week, which was sanctioned on condition that the county and borough councils give a similar increase, will not be paid in respect of inmates in reformatory and industrial schools from the city. The manager of the Arlane Industrial School informs me that it is not correct to say that he refused to meet trades unions to negotiate in regard to wages. He says that he was asked to meet a number of the Corporation in the City Hall, and did so, and states that subsequently, at a meeting of the Finance Committee, he was asked whether, in the event of the Corporation granting a sum which would enable him to pay full standard wages he would do so, and he said he certainly would.