I move amendment No. 4:—
In page 3, Section 4, line 50, to delete the word "ordinarily" and substitute the words "bona fide”.
It is considered that the words "bona fide” will give a better indication than “ordinarily”, which is at present the law in regard to residence, of the intention that all genuine residents specified in the functional area of the regulating authority shall, if other conditions are complied with, be eligible for the scholarship schemes. I should point out that hitherto councils in certain cases have been in the habit of introducing a qualifying period of residence of one, two or three years. It will not be valid to do this in future, and the point that will arise is whether the parents are ordinarily resident: that is to say, whether we use the word “ordinarily” or “bona fide”, I am advised that the legal meaning is the same; that applicants should be in the ordinary way genuinely residing in the area. If there is a feeling that there should be a limit of time, may I point out that there are cases of Civic Guards, civil servants, employees of transport companies or of insurance companies who, in the course of their official work, have to be transferred from one area to another. If it were provided that a period of residence was to become necessary, that might very well mean that the children of such persons, who had genuinely to change their residences in the ordinary course of business, would be debarred from going forward as candidates for scholarships in any area. I think that would be iniquitous. If there is any doubt the matter can be gone into. The final decision rests with the Minister under Section 9 of the Bill.