§ Mr. EDWARD KELLYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that an unqualified dental practitioner is attending the children at the Synge National Schools, Roll No. 14,440, county 1402W Clare; whether it is the duty of the Commissioners of National Education to see that a person acting in the capacity of dentist in national schools is qualified or unqualified; and whether the same policy is or will be pursued by the Commissioners in the case of medical clinics?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe answer to-the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the Commissioners of National Education after due inquiry informed the patron of the school, who-made the appointment at his own expense, that they did not approve of the employment of this gentleman. The Commissioners were subsequently informed by the Local Government Board (which is responsible for the administration of the Grant for dental clinics) that they had received no application for assistance in this case, and that in dealing with such applications they were bound by the rule that "the dental officer must be duly registered or possess recognised surgical qualifications enabling him to practice dentistry." The1 Commissioners thereupon informed the-patron that while they could not approve of the employment of an unqualified person in the treatment of national school children, they did not propose to interfere with him in the present case inasmuch as no grant had been asked for from public funds to meet the cost of the-service.