asked the Minister for Education whether, in the interest of the pupils, he is prepared to recommend the continuation of grants for continuation classes up to June 30th, 1929; also, whether arrangements are being made for the absorption, in the proposed scheme of continuation education, of the teachers now engaged in the continuation classes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Continuation Classes.
As indicated in the reply given to Deputy Good on the 27th of February, I have carefully considered this matter in all its aspects and I do not feel that, in the existing circumstances, the continued expenditure involved in the continuance of grants for evening classes after the 31st March could be justified. I am not, therefore prepared to continue these grants after that date.
The system of continuation education, for which I hope to provide in the Bill to be introduced, if possible, in the summer, will be on a different basis from the evening schools now discontinued. As regards future employment for the teachers in question, I beg to refer the Deputy to the concluding portion of the answer given to Deputy Good on Wednesday last.
I am sorry the Minister for Education is not here, as I wished to refer to some of the points raised by him in his reply to a question put by Deputy Good. I should have liked to ask him whether it would not be possible to discontinue the grant for such subjects as shorthand and typewriting, and continue the grant for other subjects taught in the continuation schools; also whether he had taken into consideration the injustice done to children going to those schools, most of whom could not afford to go to a Civil Service College, and who had entered on preparation for their examinations before notice was given of the discontinuance of these classes, and whether he will be prepared to give the matter further consideration and continue the grant partially until June 30th. I should like, with your permission, Sir, to raise the matter on the Adjournment. If the Minister for Education is not here then, I presume, I will be allowed to raise it to-morrow.
I think the Minister for Education will be here this evening at the Adjournment.