asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention has been drawn to Paragraph 6 of the Scheme adopted by the Wexford County Council for University Scholarships, which provides that an applicant shall not be eligible for award of a University Scholarship if his father was in the service of the British Government, and did not retire previous to the year 1919, and whether this provision has been approved by the Department of Local Government and Public Health.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS SCHEME.
I have not seen the scheme referred to. My functions as regards university scholarships are limited to approving or not approving of any rate to be raised for the purpose in excess of one penny in the pound.
If I will show to the Minister the scheme as adopted by the Wexford County Council, which includes that section, will he take steps to inform the County Council of the views of the Local Government Department on the matter?
I have no function in the matter except as regards the rate.
Has any other Ministry any functions in regard to this matter?
I could not say.
Can the Minister say if the Department of Education have any functions in regard to it?
As a result of the Minister's reply, I would like to ask him if he is aware that the conditions imposed in these examinations are a violation of Article 3 of the Constitution. Will he not have this matter, in view of that fact, investigated by his own or some other Department?
It is not a matter that concerns me. As I have said, my functions in regard to it are limited.
Does not a question of public policy in regard to the administration of the County Council concern the Minister?
This particular question does not affect me.
Does the Minister consider that it is in accordance with public policy, or with the Constitution, that the eligibility of candidates for university scholarships should depend upon the politics of the parents of those candidates?
I do not.
Will the Minister make that reply known to the authorities concerned—to the Council who have imposed those conditions on candidates?