asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that the Black and Tans, whilst in occupation of the Boys' and Girls' School at Ballinalee, Co. Longford, burned the furniture and destroyed the fittings of those schools; whether the schools had but two years previously been re-furnished by Grant from the Education Board, along with local aid; whether the Shaw Commission had refused to consider the case as one for compensation for damage; whether the present building used as a school has been reported on as "insanitary and unsafe;" whether he will urge the Minister for Finance to make an immediate grant for the repairing and re-opening of the schools.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BALLINALEE NATIONAL SCHOOL.
(1) The British Military Forces occupied the Ballinalee Schoolhouse from November, 1920, to May, 1921. They injured the building and did considerable injury to the school furniture.
(2) Forty-two dual desks and six long seats were supplied in 1917 with the aid of a State grant of two-thirds of the cost.
(3) This Department is aware that application was made by the Manager to the Shaw Commission for compensation, but no official intimation has been received as to the result.
(4) The temporary premises (Teacher's residence) in which the school is being conducted is not regarded as suitable for school work. The ventilation is defective, but the building has not otherwise been reported to be "insanitary and unsafe."
(5) The question of repairing and remodelling the Ballinalee Schoolhouse has already received attention in this Department. The cost of the works regarded as necessary is estimated at £425, but the Manager is not prepared to provide the local quota of the cost, viz., one-third, in view of his claim for compensation in respect of damage done to the building, and this Department is not, therefore, in a position to sanction a grant in the case.
It is understood that representations in regard to the non-settlement by the British Government of the claim for damages to the Schoolhouse and equipment have been made by the Manager to the Minister of Finance, and that the matter is under the consideration of the Minister.