Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Friday, 10 Jul 1931

Vol. 39 No. 15

In Committee on Finance. - Vote 28—Universities and Colleges.

Mr. Blythe

I move:

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £77,000 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1932, chun Síntiúisí mar Chongnamh agus chun Deon taisí i gCabhair do Chostaisí Fundúireachtaí Príomh-Scoile, maraon le Deontaisí fén Irish Universities Act, 1908, fén Acht Talmhan, 1923, fén Acht um Oideachas Phríomh-Scoile (Talmhaíocht agus Eolaíocht Déiríochta), 1926, agus fé Acht Choláiste Phríomh-Scoile na Gaillimhe, 1929 (8 Edw. 7.c. 38; Uimh. 42 de 1923; Uimh. 32 de 1926; agus Uimh. 35 de 1929).

That a sum not exceeding £77,000 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1932, for Contributions towards and Grants-in-Aid of the Expenses of University Institutions, including Grants under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, the Land Act, 1923, the University Education (Agriculture and Dairy Science) Act, 1926, and the University College (Galway) Act, 1929 (8 Edw. 7. c. 38; No. 42 of 1923; No. 32 of 1926; and No. 35 of 1929).

Mr. Fahy

Since the universities are autonomous, and properly so, we did not have a discussion on them under the Vote for the office of the Minister for Education. I think it was Deputy Thrift who recently said here that the universities did not and should not advertise. I agree with him in that, so that this is our opportunity perhaps of finding out what progress is being made in respect of this Vote. Every Deputy in the House will agree that it is well to encourage agricultural science in our universities and to try to divert our youth from the so-called learned professions into industry and agriculture.

Mr. Good

Hear, hear.

Mr. Fahy

I would like to know what has been done in this direction and I am certain we would all foster any progress in this direction. We had from the Minister for Agriculture some explanation of what was being done in the matter of dairy science in Cork under this Vote. Part of this Vote deals with the Gaelicisation of Galway University College. I am sure other Deputies would join with me in asking what exactly is being done in the universities in Dublin, Cork and Galway in respect of agriculture and dairy science and especially what progress is being made in the Gaelicisation of the University College of Galway.

[An Ceann Comhairle resumed the Chair.]

Mr. Blythe

I cannot give the Deputy any information. These university colleges are autonomous bodies. They are not bound to report to the Government. I have no doubt that information on any particular point would always be available to Deputies. I am sure the universities would always be glad to give it, but the Government has no right to look for information from these universities. They were deliberately made autonomous institutions, not responsible to the Government for any of their acts.

Mr. Fahy

They are not irresponsible.

Mr. Blythe

Consequently I have no means of getting information for the Deputy. The question of agriculture and dairy science has been discussed already on the Vote of the Department of Agriculture. At any rate, there is an opportunity of discussing it more effectively there than on this Vote. With regard to the Gaelicisation of the University College, Galway, I am satisfied that very good progress is being made and that a very good spirit is growing up in the college, but for the details the Deputy would do better to apply to the authorities of the college and I am sure he will be furnished with the details.

Question agreed to.