§ Mr. JOHN MURPHYasked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of schools in Ireland requiring class-rooms to which grants have been refused during the year ended the 30th of June last because Rule 127 (b) was not in force; whether, having regard to the spread of consumption in Ireland and to the number of unemployed in several districts, the Board of Works will be empowered to undertake the structural improvements of these schools; and can he state, in the event of these schools not being enlarged, what sum will be saved for the Treasury through this Action of the Commissioners of National Education in refusing grants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that, as far as can be ascertained, there were three cases of applications for grants for the improvement of schoolhouses, by the addition of new classrooms, under consideration in the year ended 30th June last, in each of which it was necessary to call attention to the provisions of Rule 127 (b). In each of these cases it was explained to the manager that as there were infant boys under seven years of age enrolled in the boys' school contrary to that rule, it would be necessary in any scheme for the enlarge-1024W ment of the schoolhouse that he should provide accommodation in the girls' school for these infant boys, or give an undertaking that on the occurrence of a vacancy for an assistant in the boys' school a mistress would be appointed. The Commissioners will be prepared to consider the question of the structural improvement of these schools on learning from the respective managers which of the above alternatives they are prepared to adopt. No saving would result to the Treasury in the event of these schools not being enlarged, as the money would be applied to other cases.