To ask the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the Westmeath County Council granted a sum of £1,300 in 1921 to the Gaelic League for the revival of the native language; and, further, on what grounds did the Local Government Department refuse to sanction the above sum; further, is he aware that the same County Council granted, on November 2nd, 1922, the Westmeath Technical Instruction Committee the sum of £400, for the teaching of Irish in Westmeath; and further, whether it is the intention of the Minister to sanction this grant, as the scheme is held up for approval.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - GRANTS FOR TEACHING OF IRISH.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
I am unable to find that sanction to the proposal made in 1921, was refused.
The Temporary Provision Bill includes specific proposals to regularise the levying and application of a rate for the teaching of Irish.
As I stated in the question the Westmeath County Council granted a sum of £1,300 in 1921, and because that was not sanctioned by the Local Government Board the teaching of Irish in Westmeath was crippled. Can I now have a definite answer?
I have given a definite answer.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
To ask the Minister for Local Government whether sanction will be given for the striking of a special rate for the teaching of Irish by the County Councils of Westmeath and Longford, as was done by the Roscommon County Council, and, if the rate be sanctioned, whether the local County Committees of the Gaelic League will be allowed to administer the Fund.
In March, 1922, Longford County Council increased their rate for Agricultural and Technical Instruction for the current financial year to 2d. in £, so as to provide for the teaching of Irish. This proposal was sanctioned in April last.
I do not know of any more recent proposal from Longford, but my reply to the last question concerning Westmeath County Council applies equally as regards any additional schemes which may be adopted by other Councils.