Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Dec 1931

Vol. 40 No. 22

In Committee on Finance. - Vote 46—Primary Education.

Mr. Blythe

I move:

Go ndeontar suim bhreise ná raghaidh thar £10 chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1932, chun Costaisí Bun-Oideachais, maraon le Deontaisí i gCabhair do Chiste Phinsin na Múinteoirí.

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £10 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1932, for the expenses of Primary Education, including Grants-in-Aid of the Teachers' Pension Fund.

Minister for Education (Professor O'Sullivan)

As the Deputies will see by looking at the Estimate which has been circulated, this is a grant in order to provide help for certain pupils from the Fíor-Ghaeltacht for a preliminary course. It is felt that owing to the economic conditions prevailing there it is necessary to give this help. Deputies will remember that last July I moved a supplementary estimate to provide scholarships for this particular class. It is felt that in order to enable people from this district to compete successfully for the preparatory colleges and scholarships referred to, a certain number of pupils could be taken with advantage from the Fíor-Ghaeltacht and given a year's preparation. It is in order to provide the necessary fees for the schools in that course, and in some cases the necessary equipment, that the present Vote is asked for. The conditions will be that an account will be taken of the number of places reserved for the different districts in the preparatory colleges. Account is also taken of the requirements of the Gaeltacht in question, so that pupils will be called in the order of merit. This is really in order to give a preliminary training for such pupils as otherwise might not have an opportunity of getting it.

Mr. Fahy

In a footnote to A 3 of this Estimate it is stated that for reasons of accommodation the girls have this year been placed at approved secondary schools. I presume it is because there is no accommodation available in the preparatory colleges.

Professor O'Sullivan

No. The boys are being housed in Coláiste Caomhghin. In the case of the girls, we felt that we could not place the same accommodation at their disposal and we have selected the St. Louis Convent, Monaghan, as one of the places to which they are to be sent. There was no accommodation in our own colleges.

Question put and agreed to.