Mr. JOHN GORDON (Londonderry)asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many new national schools were received into connection with the National Board of Education in Ireland in the county of Londonderry in the years 1912 and 1913, respectively; where these schools were situate; the average attendance of each for the year ending 31st December, 1913; whether there was accommodation for the pupils attending these schools in the schools previously existing in their respective neighbourhoods; and, if so, why were these schools received into connection?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that in 1912 no new national school in county Londonderry was received into connection with the National Board, and in 1913 one such school was received into connection. This school is situate in Portstewart, and the average attendance for year ended 31st December, 1913, was thirty-five. The children at this school are all Roman Catholics, and there was no national school available for their attendance under Roman Catholic managers or with Roman Catholic teachers.