asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the City of Dublin Technical Education Committee confines its apprentice scholarships to boys who reside in the city, and while residents in the adjoining areas contribute to the city rates (through the charges for equalisation of rates), the boys from these areas are refused admission to the apprentice school, and whether steps will be taken to have this barrier removed.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - APPRENTICE SCHOLARSHIPS.
I am informed that under the terms of this scheme the scholarships provided by Dublin Technical Education Committee are confined to boys whose parents or guardians are resident in rate-paying houses within the boundaries of the City of Dublin. The only local contribution from rates which is made towards the funds of the Technical Instruction Scheme for the County Borough of Dublin, and which is available for the purpose of these scholarships, is the produce of the rate of 1d. in the £ levied within the County Borough under the Technical Instruction Act of 1889. No part of any funds raised in the adjoining areas for the purpose of equalisation of rates is contributed towards the provision of these scholarships. The Technical Instruction Committee would, therefore, appear to be acting within their rights in confining these apprentice scholarships to boys who reside within the city, as stated in the question.
Arising out of that answer, is the Minister aware that the Technical Schools in the Townships open their gates freely to students from the City, and that nearly half the students in Rathmines Technical Schools come from outside the Rathmines Urban Area and whether, in view of that fact, the Minister will make representations to the City Technical Committee as to adopting a policy of "give and take" in this matter?
I am aware that such provision as Deputy Cooper states is made. This question, however, deals entirely with scholarships.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make arrangements whereby a number of apprentice scholarships will be available at the principal technical schools in the Saorstát in September next when the technical schools re-open, and thereby afford an opportunity and an encouragement to a number of boys to enter the skilled trades when leaving the National Schools after the summer term.
I am informed that the Technical Instruction Department have in operation a scheme of apprentice scholarships for boys. Under the terms of the scheme the initiative in providing these scholarships rests with the local Technical Instruction Committee. The Department is always prepared to approve of the award of such scholarships by the Committee provided the conditions of the Scheme are fully complied with and that the Committee are in possession of the necessary funds.
I think, with all respect to the Minister, that he is not correctly informed in this matter when he says that apprentice scholarships are already in existence.
The Deputy is making a speech.