I beg to ask the Minister for Agriculture a question of which I have given private notice:—"To ask if he will state what action has been taken by the Government with regard to the closing of the College of Science, and the reasons for such action."
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - CLOSING OF THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE.
Mr. THOMAS O'CONNELL
Mr. P. HOGAN
The College of Science is closed for military reasons. Our military advisers informed us that as a result of the information which they had at their disposal they could not be answerable for the protection of the Government offices unless the College of Science was closed. There is no necessity to go into the reasons now. Having regard to that advice, there was no option but to close it. I take it that we are all agreed about that. I take it also that it will be agreed that the question at issue is not the closing of certain buildings, but the necessity of seeing that the students are not seriously handicapped by the closing of these buildings. To a great extent the same subjects and the same courses are being taught in University College, Dublin, as in the College of Science. Further, the practical work done in the laboratories of the College of Science can, to a very great extent, be done in the laboratories of University College. When the College of Science was closed, the President of University College, Dublin, very generously offered to place all facilities afforded by the University at the disposal of the College of Science even to admit College of Science students to its classes. This offer of Dr. Coffey was accepted, and it means that, as far as the greater number of the students of the College of Science are concerned, immediate arrangements can be made for them in University College, Dublin, and a large number of first year students attended at University College to-day.
Further, Dr. Coffey offered to place a part of 68 St. Stephen's Green at the disposal of the College of Science for classes which are not taught at the University. When these arrangements are completed all the College of Science classes will be provided for, with the possible exception of the practical work in Engineering, and I am hopeful that this can be arranged for in a very short time. Arrangements will also be made to hold the usual College of Science examinations, and in this way it will be ensured that no student of the College of Science is prejudiced by what has happened. Trinity College has also very kindly offered to provide any facilities required.
There has been a considerable amount of agitation in regard to the closing of the College of Science which has had no connection with the question of providing facilities for the students, but was motived by the fear that the College of Science would not be re-established in its original position. On this subject I would like to say a word. There are a great many anomalies connected with the College of Science. It is an anomaly to have one educational establishment in Merrion Street under the Ministry of Agriculture, and another at Earlsfort Terrace under the Minister of Education, both teaching to a great extent the same subjects. There is no reason whatever for duplication so far as there is duplication, and this question will have to be considered when the College of Science is reconstructed. When it is reconstructed, however, it will be reconstructed in accordance with the merits of the case, and there is no intention of taking advantage of a mere accident to effect a special arrangement. On the other hand, there is no intention of allowing this accident to prevent reconstruction when the time for reconstruction comes.
Further, it should be quite clear that any reconstruction should not be undertaken through motives of economy. On the contrary, if there is one direction in which we cannot afford to economise it is education, especially agricultural and technical. One of the scandals of the former regime in Ireland was the disproportion between the very small amounts spent on education and the very large amounts spent on administration. An alteration in this disproportion will, in my opinion, do more for agriculture than any reform.
Mr. O'CONNELL
May I take it from the Minister that when the military necessity will have disappeared the College will be re-opened?
Mr. HOGAN
I think I have dealt with that at great length. At the very first opportunity after the Constitution is passed the College of Science, the Department of Agriculture, and other Departments will be reconstructed. It will depend what distance reconstruction has gone; but when it is reconstructed, however, it will be reconstructed in accordance with the merits of the case, and there is no intention of taking advantage of a mere accident to effect a special arrangement. On the other hand, there is no intention of allowing this accident to prevent reconstruction when the time for reconstruction comes.