Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 May 1941

Vol. 83 No. 9

Committee on Finance. - Vote 46—Primary Education.

Tomás O Deirg

Tairgim:

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £2,361,012 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thioc faidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta. 1942, chun Bun-Oideachais, maraon le hAois-liúntas Múinteoirí Scoile Naisiúnta agus Deontas-i-gCabhair, etc.

That a sum, not exceeding £2,361,012 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1942, for Primary Education, including National School Teachers' Superannuation and a Grant-in-Aid. etc.

Mr. Corish

Has the Minister any control over school authorities in regard to holidays? I have in mind the great inconvenience in towns and cities where one school goes on holiday in July and another in August. When a man wishes to take holidays with his family, this is very inconvenient as some have to be back in August. Has the Minister any jurisdiction in that matter or can he suggest a way to avoid the inconvenience?

Mr. Derrig

I have no control. I made representations in the matter to the managers of a large number of schools in the city.

Mr. Corish

It only applies in the cities and in urban areas.

Mr. Derrig

The position is that some of the orders, as the Deputy knows, take holidays at certain months of the year. It appears that that is their arrangement and they are not willing to depart from it. So, unless the other schools can take holidays at the same time, I can do nothing about it.

Mr. Corish

The Minister can see the inconvenience caused?

Mr. Derrig

I do not know whether there is much inconvenience.

Mr. Corish

There is, definitely.

Mr. Derrig

Well, that is the position and I can do nothing about it.

Vote put and agreed to.