Vol. 8 No. 20
I beg to move:—
That a sum, not exceeding £4,700, be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1925, for certain Miscellaneous Expenses, including certain Grants in Aid.
I would like to find out from the President what his intentions are with regard to the Registrar of Friendly Societies. I think it is generally admitted that the present position is not satisfactory, and I want to know whether the President has any plans to divulge as to his intentions regarding the future of this Registrar.
Under the heading of "Research Grants to Students," £720 is allocated for "Grants paid on the recommendation of the Minister for Education to students engaged in research," That is a reduction of £180 from last year. I wonder whether that is a testimony to the views of the Ministry regarding the value of this kind of research, that it is less valuable this year than last or how this money is allocated; whether it is part of a policy of economy or whether it is by the exhaustion of certain activities of individual students? I hope it is not part of an economy campaign, because I believe that the possibilities which may arise out of such a grant for research work, particularly in scientific chemical work, are such that the country may benefit enormously. I hope that it is explainable by something else than a mere desire to save £180.
This provision is made in respect of five students. The academic year starts in October, and five students are on the Estimate from October last. If there were six students it would necessitate an additional sum, but it is not anticipated that the number will be increased. It is by reason of the fact that there were five students last year that this Estimate is £720. If there were eight students it would be eight times £144. If there were three students it would be three times £144. It is not a question of reducing the amount or of economy, but simply dealing with the circumstances with which we were presented.
And the registrar?
I do not think it is likely that there will be any immediate change. That is a very big subject. I understand that Deputy Johnson is interested in it and that there is necessity for a change. I know that myself for the last three or four years. It is one of those things which really require very considerable study and very great attention, but I am not in a position to promise that we may even consider it. The Deputy would be entitled to put down a question for the Minister for Finance when we reassemble, to see by that time if we would have an opportunity of going into it. The Minister, I think, will not be back for a month, and, when he returns, he will have quite a number of other things to do. While realising the importance of dealing with this matter, I am not in a position to say that we will be able to do so.
With reference to what the President has said as to the reduced value of this Vote for research students, I take it that we may assume the applications to be put forward in October will not be treated necessarily from the point of view of economy.
No.
At what stage is the Irish Texts Society's Irish-English Dictionary? Does not the President consider the grant mentioned here, £1,000, a rather small one in view of the position of the nation at present and the importance of a standard dictionary?
In that, as in other matters, the Minister for Finance has got to exercise very strong commercial instincts. I realise the importance of this dictionary. It was realised in the first Dáil Eireann Cabinet. This is a grant in aid of the expenses of publication by the Irish Texts Society of a new addition of Fr. Dinneen's Irish-English Dictionary, and it is made on the understanding that the dictionary will be placed on sale at a price not exceeding 7/6.
That was the old price.
It was, but the value of money was much better than it is now. I think if one were to try and get one of the old copies for that price it would be a rather difficult search. The estimated cost of producing an edition of 20,000 copies is £4,824 10s. Commission and other matters run up the entire price to £8,074. This particular contribution would enable the Society to put the dictionary on sale at 7s. 6d. I think that price is very moderate.
I hope the dictionary will be ready very soon.
I hope so.
