§ Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGHasked he Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Drumany School, in Kinawley parish, county Fermanagh, has been closed by the Commissioners, and that the closing of the school, combined with the closing last year of Aughacloy school and the impending closing of Stragowna School, has left a large area without any reasonably accessible school for Protestant children; have the Commissioners considered that many quite young children compelled to
1546Wattend school will have to walk fully five miles to do so; and will he take steps to provide a school in a central position to suit Drumany, Aughacloy, and Stragowna?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education have not closed the
Drumany National School. The present principal is, however, retiring next month, and the manager has expressed his willingness to close the school if satisfactory arrangements can be made for the conveyance of the pupils to another national school. There is no immediate intention of closing Stragowna School, and the question has not been under consideration. As regards the Aughacloy School, grants were withdrawn from 30th June, 1906, on the retirement of the teacher then in charge, as it was no longer required, there being ample accommodation for the Protestant children of the locality in the Countess of Erne's National School, situated within one and a half miles of Aughacloy, and under Protestant management. The Commissioners would be glad if a central school could be provided in place of these small schools, but, owing to local opposition, they fear it is not feasible to do so at present.