Tairgim:—
Go ndeonfar suim nach mó ná £193,090 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfas chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1952, chun Tuarastal agus Costas Oifig an Aire Oideachais agus chun Costas a bhaineas leis an gComhairle Oideachais.
That a sum not exceeding £193,090 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, 1952, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Minister for Education and for expenses connected with the Council of Education.
Is dóigh liom go mba chabhair do Theachtaí é dá gcuirinn síos go gairid ar na figiúirí atá á gcur ós bhur gcóir. Agus mé á dhéanamh sin déanfad iarracht ar aon rud nach bhfuil so-thuigthe a léiriú.
Ocht Vótaí atá á riaradh ag mo Roinn-se, 'sé sin ó Vóta a triocha is a naoi go dtí Vóta a dachad is a sé. 'Sé suim iomlán atá á iarraidh ina gcóir ná ocht milliúin, naoi gcéad triocha agus seacht míle, sé chéad agus seasca punt (£8,937,660). Is mó é seo ná an méid a vótáileadh anuraidh, de chéad caoga agus sé mhíle, agus nócha puint (£156,090).
Vóta 39—Oifig an Aire: Dhá chéad is nócha míle, agus nócha punt (£290,090) atá á iarraidh. Méadú de cheithre mhíle agus dhá chéad é seo ar mheastachán na bliana seo caite. Trí chéad, ochtó agus ocht nduine an méid a bhfuil soláthar ina gcóir sa Vóta, 'sé sin, beirt níos mó ná bhí i gceist anuraidh. Tá riar á dhéanamh i mbliana do Rúnaí don Chomhairle Oideachais, agus, ina theannta sin, do Bhrainse Teaghlachais le haghaidh na Roinne ar fad. Do b'fhéidir laghdú a dhéanamh ar an bhfoirinn, áfach, i mbrainsí eile.
Meastar go mbeidh seacht gcéad go leith púnt (£750) de chaiteachas ag baint leis an gComhairle Oideachais i mbliana, rud nach raibh ach chúig puint eirnéise ina chóir anuraidh.
Lasmuigh den méid sin agus den mhéadú beag ar an bhfoirinn atá luaite agam, sé is cúis leis an méadú ar an Vóta ná gnáth-mhéadú tuarastail ar na scálaí tuarastail faofa.
Níl áireamh déanta sa Mheastachán seo, dár ndó, ar an méadú tuarastail atá ag dul do Stát-Sheirbhísigh mar a foilsíodh roinnt seachtainí ó shoin.
Vóta 40—Bun-Oideachas: Caoga agus seacht míle, naoi gcéad agus caoga punt (£57,950) de mhéadú atá sa sé milliún, ceithre céad caoga agus seacht míle, naoi gcéad agus caoga punt (£6,457,950) atá á iarraidh.
Breis bheag agus cúig mhilliún go leith atá á sholáthar le haghaidh tuarastail múinteoirí, ag Fo-Mhírcheann C a haon. Is lú de sheasca is sé míle agus ocht gcéad púnt (£66,800) é seo ná an méid a bhí ann anuraidh. 'Sé míniú atá air sin ná gur dearnadh, i Vóta na bliana seo caite, soláthar chun riaráiste tuarastail d'íoc i leith na ráithe dár chríoch an lá deireannach de Mhárta, naoi gcéad déag agus caoga, de bharr na nua-scálaí tuarastail do mhúinteoirí a tháinig i bhfeidhm ón gcéad lá d'Eanáir, naoi gcéad déag agus caoga.
Ar an Vóta seo ina iomlán atá méadú glan de thuairim is caoga agus ocht míle punt (£58,000). Tarlaíonn seo de bharr go bhfuil céad fiche agus dhá mhíle, agus ocht gcéad punt (£122,800) breise ag teastáil faoi Fho-Mhírcheann D—Aoisliúntas do Mhúin-teoirí, sa chaoi gur seacht gcéad seasca agus aon mhíle (£761,000) go hiomlán atá ag teastáil don tseirbhís sin.
Tá trí chúis leis an méadú so. Ar an gcéad dul amach, na múinteoirí atá anois ag éirí as an tseirbhís, is ar na nua-scálaí tuarastail a bheas a bpinsin bunaithe.
Sa tarna háit, ón mbliain naoi gcéad déag dachad agus a ceathair, níorbh éigin do bhan-mhúinteoirí dul ar pinsean roimh shlánú cúig bliain agus seasca dhóibh, agus dá bhrí sin, níor tharla an gnáth-líon ag dul ar pinsean go dtí an bhliain airgeadais seo caite. Fágann sin go bhfuil an caiteachas don chuid sin de na múinteoirí imithe i méid i mbliana. An dá ní seo i dteannta a chéile, méadaíonn siad an caitheachas de mhíle punt fichead.
'Sé an tríú rud is cúis leis an mbreis airgid atá á iarraidh, cnap-shuim a bheith le fáil anois ag ban-mhúinteoirí ag dul ar pinsean dóibh, mar atá ag na fir. Tháinig téarmaí feabhsuithe aoisliúntais i bhfeidhm ar an dáta céadna a tháinig na nua-scálaí tuarastail, sé sin, an chéad lá d'Eanáir, míle naoi gcéad agus caoga. Ar dtúis ní rabhthas ar intinn cnap-shuim a chur ar fáil ach do na fir. Bhí beartaithe pinsin na mban-mhúinteoirí a ríomhadh do réir an seascadú cuid den tuarastal in aghaidh gach bliain iomlán seirbhíse a bhí tugtha ag an múinteoir. I gcás na bhfear, is do réir ochtódaithe a bhí an pinsean le meas. Is dá réir sin a cuireadh meastachán na bliana seo caite le chéile.
Cinneadh ina dhiaidh sin, áfach, na téarmaí céanna a thabhairt do na mná agus a bhí á dtabhairt do na fir. Ghlac an tOireachtas leis an socrú sin nuair do deimhníodh Scéim (Leasaithe) Aoisliúntais na Múinteoirí, naoi gcéad déag agus caoga. As sin a tháinig céad agus seacht míle déag punt (£117,000) a bheith á iarraidh i mbliana i gcóir na gcnap-shuim, thar mar a hiarradh anuraidh.
Dá réir sin, bheadh céad triocha agus ocht míle punt (£138,000) de bhreis le haghaidh aoisliúntais. Ach tá laghdú tagtha ar an líon pinsinéirí a chuaigh amach roimh an mbliain naoi gcéad déag agus triocha a ceathair, agus a n-íoctar a bpinsin faoi Acht na Bliana ocht gcéad déag seachtó is a naoi, agus tá chúig mhíle dhéag punt le baint den mhéadú atá luaite agam. Fágann sin tuairim is céad, fiche agus trí mhíle púnt (£123,000) de mhéadú glan i leith aoisliúntais.
An méadú atá i bhFo-Mhírcheann A trí (sé sin, Coláistí Ullmhúcháin) sé míniú atá leis ná scálaí tuarastail níos fearr a bheith le fáil ag foirne na gColáistí ón gcéad lá d'Eanáir na bliana seo caite. Chomh maith leis sin, tá an costas iostais tar éis dul i méid.
Cé go bhfuil laghdú de cheithre mhíle agus chúig chéad punt (£4,500) i bhFo-Mhírcheann A a haon—sé sin Coláiste Oiliúna—ná tuigtear as sin go bhfuil aon laghdú tagtha ar an líon scoláirí sna Coláistí, ná aon ísliú déanta ar na deontais a íocas an Stát leis na Coláistí. Sé míniú atá air ná gurbh éigin soláthar a dhéanamh anuraidh le haghaidh riaráiste don tréimhse Lúnasa, naoi gcéad déag dachad is a naoi go dtí deireadh mí Márta dar gcionn. Níl aon riaráiste mar sin le glanadh i mbliana.
Tá beagán níos mó á iarraidh sna trí mhíle déag punt (£13,000) atá luaite le haghaidh carr-sheirbhísí agus bád-sheirbhísí, toisc gur dócha go mbeidh seirbhísí, nua le bunú. I mbliana arís, tá trí mhíle punt (£3,000) den mhéid seo curtha i leith na bus-seirbhíse speisialta atá ann chun daltaí scoile a thabhairt go scoileanna i lár na cathrach ó cheanntar Bhóthar an tSairséalaigh agus ó Bhaile Fearmada, Baile Atha Cliath ó tharla nach bhfuil na scoileanna nua amuigh ansin críochnaithe fós.
Tá míle agus cheithre chéad punt (£1,400) níos lú measta do Dheontas na gCúig bPunt do theaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht (C a seacht) agus do chostas scoláireachtaí saoire sa Ghaeltacht, sé sin Scéim Choiste na bPáistí (C a hocht). Ar an méid iarratas is dócha a gheofar atá an meastachán sin bunaithe.
Ní dóigh liom gur gá aon mhiontrácht a dhéanamh ar na figiúirí eile atá sa Vóta seo.
I dtaoibh an Mhean-Oideachais— Vóta dachad 's a h-aon—sé suim atá á iarraidh ná milliún, dhá mhíle agus seasca, céad agus fiche punt (£1,062,120). Is mó é seo de dhá mhíle déag, seacht gcéad agus nócha punt ná an méid a soláthraíodh anuraidh, idir bun-mheastachán agus meastachán breise.
An bhreis atá á iarraidh i gcóir deontas do mheán-scoileanna, (FoMhirchinn A a haon, A a dó agus A a trí) sé is bun leis ná níos mó daltaí a bheith sna meán-scoileanna. Baineann an míniú céanna leis an míle agus ocht gcéad punt de mhéadú atá ann, leis na scrúduithe (Fo-Mhírcheann C).
Tá míle punt níos lú á iarraidh le haghaidh breis-tuarastail mhúinteoirí (B a haon). Mar tharla i gcás na mbun-mhúinteoirí, tharla i gcás na mean-mhúinteoirí, leis, anuraidh: tháinig na nua-scálaí tuarastail i bhfeidhm i dtús mí Eanáir, naoi gcéad déag agus caoga, agus b'éigin soláthar a dhéanamh i meastacháin na bliana anuraidh chun riaráistí d'íoc i leith na ráithe dar chríoch an lá deireannach de Mhárta, naoi gcéad déag agus caoga.
Níl i mbliana i Mírcheann G (Ciste Pinsin na Meán-Mhúinteoirí) acht deich bpúint eirnéise san áit ina raibh trí mhíle púnt (£3,000) anuraidh. Sé is cúis leis sin ná go bhfuiltear ag súil le dóthain airgid don bhliain seo a bheith sa Chiste roimh dheireadh na bliana de bharr riaráistí áirithe a theacht isteach ó bhaill den Scéim gur mian leo a bheith i dteideal an chnap-shuim d'fháil ar ball agus ó mhúinteoirí nach raibh go dtí seo ina mbaill den Scéim, do réir mar atá leagtha amach sa Scéim leasaithe ar ghlac an tOireachtas leis le déanaí. Siad na gnéithe is tábhachtaí den Scéim Leasaithe úd ná cnap-shuim bheith le fáil ag múinteoirí, idir fhir agus mhná, ar éirí as an tseirbhís dóibh, ach go ndéanfaidis rann-iocaíocht áirithe, mar is ar ranníocaíocht atá an Scéim féin bunaithe. Chomh maith leis sin, ceadaíonn sé deontas pósta do mhúinteoirí mná a éiríos as an tseirbhís ar phósadh dhóibh.
Meastachán an Cheard-Oideachais— Bhóta 42: An seacht gcéad dachad agus sé mhíle, naoi gcéad agus caoga punt (£746,950) atá ann, méadú é sin ar Bhóta na bliana seo caite de dhá mhíle agus dachad, dhá chéad agus fiche punt (£42,220).
Suas le cheithre mhíle triochad (£34,000) den mhéadú sin, faoi Fho-Mhírcheann B (sé sin, deontas bliantúil do Choistí Gairm-Oideachais), atá sé. Tá ag leitheadú ar obair na gCoistí, agus do réir mar a bhíonn a thuilleadh airgid á sholáthar as na rátaí faoi réir Acht an Ghairm-Oideachais, bíonn ar an Stát cothrom áirithe airgid a sholáthar do na Coistí ina aghaidh sin.
Oiliúint mhúinteoirí (Fo-Mhírcheann C) cosnóidh sé cheithre mhíle, ocht gcéad seasca agus chúig phuint (£4,865) de bhreis ar mheastachán na bliana seo caite. Cúrsaí oiliúna breise bheith ann d'ábhair Múinteoirí Adhmadóireachta agus Múinteoirí Eolaíochta Thuaithe an míniú atá leis an difríocht sin.
Ó tharla níos mó múinteoirí ar pinsean i mbliana ná anuraidh, beidh ar an Roinn seacht míle agus fiche, agus ochtó punt, (£27,080) a chur le ciste na bpinsean agus na saordháil (Fo-Mhírcheann G). Méadú é seo de mhíle, céad agus deich bpuint (£1,110).
Tá méadaithe ar an méid iasacht a thóg na hÚdaráis Áitiúla i gcóir oibreacha atá idir lámha ag Coistí agus bun-airgead ag teastáil ina gcóir. Mar gheall ar sin, ní mór don Roinn míle agus naoi gcéad breise (£1,900) d'íoc, faoi Fho-Mhírcheann H, i leith na n-iasacht úd faoi réir Chuid a caoga a haon (a sé) den Acht Gairm-Oideachais, 1930.
Bhóta dachad is trí—Eolaíocht agus Ealaíon: Céad fiche agus naoi míle, agus naoi gcéad púnt (£129,900) an t-iomlán atá á iarraidh dó san, sé sin seacht míle, trí céad agus caoga (£7,350) níos mó ná anuraidh.
Sé nuaíocht is mó atá sa Bhóta sin ná trí mhíle agus chúig chéad punt (£3,500) bheith á chur leis an míle agus chúig chéad (£1,500) a bhí ann roimhe seo chun léirdhearcadh a dhéanamh ar cháipéisí a bhaineann le Stair na hÉireann atá i dtaisce thar lear, agus chun macasamhla a dhéanamh díobh (Fo-Mhírcheann A a seacht). Is amhlaidh atá beartaithe i bhfad níos mó den obair sin a dhéanamh i mbliana ná mar a deineadh aon bhliain go dtí seo.
An dá mhíle, ceithre céad dachad agus trí púint (£2,443) de mhéadú atá á iarraidh i gcóir tuarastal agus mar sin de san Institiúidí Eolaíochta agus Ealaíon (Fo-Mhírecheann A a h-aon), sé is mó is cúis leis ná tuarastal múinteoirí páirt-aimsire i gColáiste Náisiúnta na hEalaíon d'árdú, agus postanna nua a dhéanamh sa Choláiste sin, mar atá sa sníomhachán, sa bhfídóireacht, sa ghloine daite, sa mhiotalóireacht agus in obair chruain.
Na Scoláireachtaí Iolscoile (Fo-Mhírcheann B a ceathair) faoin dá scéim, se sin Scoláireachtaí do mhicléinn a dhéanas a gcúrsa Iolscoile trí Ghaeilge agus Scoláireachtaí do mhic léinn ón bhFíor-Ghaeltacht, sé caiteachas atá measta dóibh ná ocht míle déag, cúig céad, dachad agus cúig puint (£18,545)—méadú míle agus chúig puint dachad (£1,045) ar mheastachán na bliana seo caite. Tá céad agus seisear (106) mac léinn a bhfuil na Scoláireachtaí seo acu sa bhliain acadúil seo. Is dóigh go mbeidh deireadh le hocht gcinn de na Scoláireachtaí sin an samhradh seo, agus táthar ag ceapadh go mbeidh chúig cinn is triocha eile á mbronnadh i bhfómhar na bliana seo.
Institiúid Náisiúnta na Scannán (Fo-Mhírcheann B a hocht), táthar le míle agus chúig chead punt (£1,500) a thabhairt dóibh, sé sin, chúig chéad níos mó ná anuraidh. Is mó ná ariamh an t-éileamh atá ar a gcuid scannán, ach is mó a chosnaíon na scannáin, leis. Tá beartaithe ag an Institiúid, leis, caint Ghaeilge a chur le roinnt scannán.
Rud nua sa Vóta is ea an soláthar trí chéad go leith punt (£350) atá á dhéanamh chun cúrsa faoi leith a thionól an samhradh seo ar mhúineadh nua-theangan. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh idir Bhun-mhúinteoirí, Mheánmhúinteoirí agus Cheárd-mhúinteoirí ag freastal ar an gcúrsa san.
Níl aon athrú ar na deontais-igcabhair atá ann don Drámaíocht Ghaeilge, do Choimisiún Béaloideasa Éireann, do Choiste na hÉireann i leith Eolaíochtaí Stairiúla, do Chomhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge ná don Oireachtas. Níl aon athrú ach oiread ar an soláthar a bhí ann do chúrsaí ar Choláiste Gaeilge, do Chúrsaí Samhraidh sa Cheol, do dheontais do mhic léinn atá i mbun taighde Eolaíochta, do dheontais do thréimhseacháin Ghaeilge agus do pháipéir nuaíochta a fhoilsíos nuaíocht i nGaeilge. Tá laghdú beag áirithe —cúig puint agus seachtó (£75) sa suim atá á iarraidh don Ghúm (Fo-Mhírcheann B 1).
Bhóta 44—Scoileanna Ceartúcháin agus Saothair: Céad ochtó agus ocht míle, agus deich bpuint (£186,010) atá á sholáthar ina chóir seo. Méadú triocha míle agus ocht gcéad púnt (£30,800) é sin ar sholáthar na bliana so caite.
Cé go bhfuiltear ag súil gur lú de dhá chéad agus triocha (230) an líon dalta a bheas sna scoileanna sin i mbliana ná an sé mhíle, ceithre chéad agus nócha in iomlán de dhaltaí a bhí iontu sa bhliain seo chaite, is éigin cheithre mhíle triochad agus naoi gcéad punt (£34,900) san iomlán a chur leis an soláthar (Fo-Mhírchinn A agus B) do na scoileanna seo, de bhrí gur méadaíodh ar rátaí na ndeontas ón chéad lá de mhí Eanáir, 1951. Ceithre scilling déag agus réal (14s. 6d.) sa tseachtain an gnáth-dheontas anois do na Scoileanna Ceartúcháin, in ionad an dá scilling déag (12s.) a tugtaí go dtí seo. Dhá scilling déag (12s.) sa tseachtain an gnáth-dheontas i gcás na Scoileanna Saothair, in ionad an naoi-is-réal (9s. 6d.) a tugtaí roimhe seo. Tá a chothrom sin dá mhéadú deontais á thabhairt ag na hÚdaráis Áitiúla, leis, ón chéad lá d'Aibreán i mbliana.
An dachad míle punt (£40,000) de dheontas a ceadaíodh sa bhliain naoi gcéad déag dachad is a sé le cabhrú le Scoil Shaothair nua i gcóir buachaillí sinsearacha a thógáil, tá an scair deireannach de sin íoctha. Dá bhrí sin níl aon tsoláthar dá leithéid sin sa Bhóta i mbliana.
Sé tá i gceist i bhFo-Mhírcheann E ná an costas a bhaineas le cabhair airgid a bhailiú óna tuismitheoirí, agus tá léirithe i bhfo-Mhírcheann F an méid airgid a meastar a gheofar uathu.
Tá laghdú sa dá Fho-Mhírcheann sin i leith na bliana seo—seacht gcéad punt (£700) de laghdú sa chéad cheann agus míle púnt (£1,000) de laghdú sa tarna ceann. Bhí cuid áirithe de shíntiúsaí na dtuísmitheoir a choinníodh an Roinn, ach táthar tar éis a rialú go gcaithfear feasta an chuid sin a roinnt idir an Roinn agus an tÚdarás Áitiúil. Sin é is bun leis an laghdú ar an méid a gheobhas an tAire (cé go bhfuíltear ag ceapadh gur mó ná anuraidh an méid airgid a gheofar óna tuismitheoirí i mbliana), agus beidh laghdú dá réir ar an gcoimisiún a gheobhas na bailitheoirí ón Aire.
Bhóta 45—Tá ocht gcéad agus triocha punt (£830) de mhéadú glan, nó caoga agus sé mhíle, céad agus triocha punt (£56,130) ar fad, ar mheastachán Institiúid Árd-Léinn Bhaile Átha Cliath.
Sé bonn ar ar hullmhaíodh an Meastachán, gnóthaí áirithe a bhí á dhéanamh ag an Institiúid a bheith críochnaithe agus é bheith beartaithe ag an Institiúid postanna áirithe i Scoil na Fisice Teoiriciúla agus i Scoil na Fisice Cosmaí a fhágáil gan líonadh i mbliana. Ar an ábhar sin, cé go bhfuil Scoil an Léinn Cheiltigh ag tabhairt faoi obair nua i mbliana, mar atá, Léarscáil Chanúnacha, tá ocht gcéad agus seachtó púnt (£870) de laghdú glan san airgead atá á sholáthar sa deontas bhliantúil faoi réir Chuid a cúig is fiche (a haon) d'Acht na hInstitiúide Árdléinn naoi gcéad déag agus dachad. Tá míle agus seacht gcéad punt (£1,700) de mhéadú sa deontas atá á iarraidh i gcóir tógála agus deisiúcháin, faoi réir Chuid a sé déag (a cúig) den Acht. A fhormhór sin, is amhlaidh atá an obair déanta cheana féin agus na billí ina leith tar éis nó ar tí titim isteach.
An soláthar i Vóta 46—An Dánlann Náisiúnta, is lú de chaoga é ná soláthar na bliana so caite.
Deputies will appreciate that in the short time since I took up duty as Minister, I have not had an opportunity of becoming familiar with the various facets of the work of the Department, or of becoming fully acquainted with the departmental machinery.
I feel I should make it clear, however, that it is not my intention to make any sudden drastic changes with regard either to departmental policy or administration.
When introducing the 1950-51 Estimates, my predecessor in office made reference to the establishment of the Council of Education, which held its first meeting on the 5th May, 1950. The first task assigned to the council was to advise the Minister on the function of the primary school and on the curriculum to be pursued in the primary school from the infant age up to the age of 12 years. The council has been up to the present engaged in the consideration of this remit. Seven meetings of the council were held during the financial year 1950-51, and it is expected that the council as a whole will meet once a month in this financial year.
Some time ago a public invitation was issued to interested persons to submit evidence bearing on the matters under consideration by the council, and it is estimated that the sub-committee selected to deal with such evidence and with the hearing and examining of witnesses may have to hold as many as ten meetings in the near future.
Though I have not yet had an opportunity to meet the council, I understand that it is a live and active body, and I wish to pay tribute here to their zeal and devotedness.
I assume, from the various questions which have been put to me since I became Minister, that the question of the building and improvement of national schools is one of deep interest to all Deputies. We have 4,896 primary national schools, and this year, I think, we are building 52. From what I know of the conditions of schools in rural areas, I doubt if we will ever have real school building, considering the number we have and the rate of building, unless we seriously attack, and have a definite increase in, the speed of building. Under the present conditions, every effort is being made to cope with the problem of the erection of new schools and the improvement of existing buildings. Deputies are aware that grants are allocated by my Department and that these grants are subsequently expended by the Commissioners of Public Works out of moneys provided in Vote 9—Public Works and Buildings. Grants totalling approximately £699,000 were made during 1950-51, on an estimated total cost of approximately £804,000, towards the erection of 52 new schools, the major reconstruction of seven buildings, and the improvement of 332 others. The remaining £105,000 falls to be provided locally. This represents about 13 per cent. of the total estimated cost, and it is with regret that I have to record that it is a falling off as compared with the 17 per cent. by way of local contribution forthcoming in respect of the grants allocated in 1949-50.
It is necessary to emphasise how important it is that localities should bear their due share in the cost of this vital and urgent work, as an integral part of a system which, because of its recognition of the fact that the State is only one, and not the principal one, of the parties responsible for the education of our children, we must continue to value highly.
I should also, perhaps, mention that delay in the building or replacement of schools is often occasioned by the difficulty of establishing legal title to sites. The provision of a school site is entirely a local responsibility. If the site, after inspection, is considered suitable, it is in the interests of everybody concerned that the legal formalities connected with establishing titles should be attended to without delay.
Now, much of the blame for the delay in school building that is laid against the Department actually rests with the local people themselves. I am very clear about that. Again, I would like to stress at this time that, from my short experience and of the questions that have been put to me, it seems to me that much of the delay in school building is occasioned by the parties to the second part changing their minds now and again. Very often, a minor change in a school building may necessitate the production of a completely new set of plans. These are things on which the people, who are dealing with schools locally, ought to make up their minds. When they are quite clear and satisfied with a certain proposal, then there will be no difficulty or slowness so far as the Department is concerned.
Other developments during the past year were the introduction of conciliation and arbitration machinery to deal with salaries and emoluments paid by the State to primary and to secondary teachers.
There is a continued increase in the number of pupils attending secondary schools. For the year 1950-51 the number of recognised pupils was 48,559, which is 1,494 more than the previous years. The number of recognised secondary schools has increased from 416 in 1949-50 to 424 in 1950-51.
Vocational education, also, shows a continual expansion in all its phases. In the year 1950-51 the number of students enrolled in whole-time day courses was 17,885 as compared with 16,430 in the previous session. In the evening classes the total of 39,885 showed an increase of a little over 1,000 on the previous session.
The demand for enrolment in whole-time day continuation courses for the session 1949-50 was again, in the large urban centres and in the county boroughs, in excess of the accommodation available. Consequently, in some centres classes in general subjects overflowed the workshops and the domestic rooms. In rural areas accommodation generally was adequate.
The certificates given by the Department to successful students at the end of the two years' course are now widely accepted as evidence of qualification for certain types of employment. For instance, apprenticeship in the motor car engineering trade is confined to boys who have secured the manual training group certificate, and the Electricity Supply Board, Córas Iompair Éireann and Messrs. Arthur Guinness and Son make a somewhat similar stipulation. The largest increase in candidates was in the group mentioned, where the figure rose from 1,200 to 1,429.
Technical instruction for apprentices and others engaged in trade and industry is largely confined to the cities and bigger towns, although provision is also made for specialised instruction in particular trades in rural areas where a demand exists.
Remarkable work under this heading is being done particularly by the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee with the active co-operation of the employers and the trade unions. Other areas, too, are doing valuable work of this kind.
During 1949-50 and 1950-51 the Department continued to co-operate to the fullest extent with the university extension courses organised by the University Colleges of Cork and Dublin in conjunction with vocational education committees. These courses were originally provided in Cork, under the inspiration of the president of University College there, for trade unionists, employers and young workers, and in the three or four years of their existence, they developed rapidly, spreading to Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Clonmel, Fermoy and Killarney.
During the present session they have been extending to smaller towns, and are beginning to penetrate to rural areas in Munster. Similar courses were organised by University College, Dublin, in Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford in conjunction with the local vocational committees. I should also mention a special course of this type organised by the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee at the High School of Commerce, Rathmines.
Another promising development in the sphere of adult education is the establishment of choral classes. A scheme of choral classes was organised by County Cork Vocational Education Committee during the session 1948-49, with a permanent whole-time teacher of Irish and choral singing as special organiser. Largely as a result, choirs were successfully established during 1949-50 in 24 centres in County Cork, mainly in rural areas, and the movement is spreading in other counties. Apart from their cultural aspect, such choirs have a social importance as being of great help in Church ceremonies, concerts and feiseanna.
The number under detention in the boy's reformatory school on 31st December, 1950, was 175, as compared with 187 on 31st December, 1949. Improved accommodation, which includes new wings and comprises classrooms, dormitories, ablution rooms and workshops, is being provided. One of these wings has already been completed and it is expected that a contract will be placed during the present month for the erection of the second wing.
The girls' school in Limerick had 28 under detention on 31st December, 1950, as against 31 on 31st December, 1949, and in the girls' school in Kilmacud, certified recently for a special type of girl, there were 12 under detention on 31st December, 1950.
The State capitation grant for maintenance in reformatories has been increased from 12/- to 14/6 weekly as from 1st January this year, following representations made by the managers of the schools, and provision is being made for 1951-52 for 260 youthful offenders in these schools at a cost of £9,850 as compared with 290 youthful offenders at a cost of £9,100 in 1950-51. As from the 1st April, 1951, the grant from local authorities, hitherto varying from 11/- to 12/-, is increased to a figure varying from 12/6 to 13/6 per week per pupil.
The State capitation grant for industrial schools, of which there are 51 in all, has also been increased by 2/6 weekly (from 9/6 to 12/-) as from 1st January, 1951. Grants payable by the local authority have been increased by an equivalent amount as from 1st April, 1951.
There were 3,117 girls under detention in industrial schools on 31st December, 1950. This is a decrease of 104 on the previous year.
In the boys' industrial schools, the number under detention on 31st December, 1950, was 2,742, as compared with 2,848 on 31st December, 1949.
The industrial school at Baltimore, County Cork, was closed on 30th September, 1950, with the concurrence of the committee of management.
I have used a word there which I dislike—the word "detention". I think the intention behind it is better. I believe that we do more for the children than detain them.
A special feature in connection with the Science and Art Vote this year is the proposal to increase from £1,500 to £5,000 the provision for the survey and reproduction of Irish historical records in foreign collections.
All such documents, in so far as they are catalogued in libraries throughout Europe, have already been listed by the National Library up to 1200 A.D., and Deputies may be surprised to know that only about 8 per cent. of our records up to that date are to be found in Ireland itself.
The intention is to make a beginning on the systematic microfilming of all these documents, so that this important part of our title-deeds to nationhood shall not perish from the earth.
I have not so far touched on the question of Irish. I have thought it better to deal with it as a separate item. There are so many activities in regard to the revival of the language, both inside and outside the classroom, that I have thought it better to glance at them generally rather than to try to relate the position to the individual Votes with which I am concerned.
In presenting the Estimates for 1948-49, my predecessor expressed the view that it was imperative that all schools in purely Irish-speaking districts where Irish is the natural language of the home and of the community should be placed under a special inspectorial eye from the point of view of primary education. Arrangements were accordingly made for the appointment of a special inspector for each of the three main Gaeltacht areas. In addition to the ordinary supervision of the work of the schools in their districts these inspectors are entrusted with other special functions and duties designed to secure the active co-operation of all residents in revitalising the language and strengthening its position in these areas. Their special duties also include the fostering and promotion of cultural activities and recreations, with particular reference to the development of drama through the production of plays in Irish in local schools and halls and to securing increased facilities for the provision of reading material in Irish at local centres.
I am of the belief that definite advances have been made in these areas in the development of cultural activities, and that a very praiseworthy degree of co-operation has been obtained from all groups.
It is the policy of the Department to make the teaching of Irish in vocational schools as attractive as possible, and, for this reason, the training for the Teastas Timire Gaeilge, the qualification required of teachers of Irish, includes practice in the teaching of drama, singing and dancing in so far as they are associated with the language.
Inspectors report on the difficulty of securing a good enrolment and attendance while the work is confined to the formal teaching of the language, but classes which cater for social activities through the medium of Irish succeed well.
Apart from the work done in the schools and directly under the supervision of each branch, an innovation that should have a stimulating effect on the teaching of Irish in all types of school is a course in language teaching which the Department proposes to hold in July this year in the Dominican Convent, Eccles Street, Dublin, with the kind permission of the convent authorities. This course will be conducted by distinguished experts in language teaching from abroad and at home, and its principal aim will be to show how difficulties in language teaching have been met and surmounted elsewhere. It will be open to national, secondary and vocational teachers, and it is hoped that one result will be to enable those teachers who attend to apply the most scientific methods to the teaching of Irish and, where these succeed, to so spread the light to other teachers.
Another experiment proposed this year is to increase by £500 the provision for the National Film Institute on condition that part at least of the increased provision be devoted to dubbing films in Irish or otherwise synchronising Irish with films. While on the subject of the National Film Institute I would like to mention that the Department finds the institute most helpful and co-operative in regard to the use of films and film strips in schools, and I understand that other Departments find it no less helpful.
The five bodies concerned with dramatic productions in Irish are Taibhdheare na Gaillimhe, an Cómhar Drámaíochta, an Compántas, Cumann Drámaíochta na Scol and the various dramatic societies that have sprung up in the Gaeltacht.
The Taibhdhearc had its annual subsidy increased from £1,000 to £2,000 two years ago, and as a result has been enabled to do much-needed refitting and repairs to its theatre in Galway and to extend its activities from Galway City to various parts of the surrounding Gaeltacht, including the Aran Islands.
A notable feature of its last session was its playing as a special facet of its work, a translation of "St. Joan" to a packed house in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. No doubt many Deputies who had an opportunity of attending made a point of seeing for themselves the excellent work of this voluntary group.
The Cómhar Drámaíochta continues likewise to keep up its good name for a high level of professional acting, and its Christmas pantomime in the Abbey Theatre has come to be regarded as one of the most popular theatrical events of the year.
An Compántas, with its variety shows, in its turn does much to popularise Irish with those of the public who attend the theatre rather for amusement than through interest in dramatics.
It is pleasing to note that Cumann Drámaíochta na Scol, the Schools Dramatic League, which appeared some years ago to be moribund as a result of travelling difficulties during the war, has in the last two years come to very vigorous life again.
However, the most remarkable extension of dramatic activity during the past 12 months, and in my view, fundamentally the most important, has occurred in the Gaeltacht itself.
Up to 1950 the systematic production of plays in the Gaeltacht was confined mainly to County Donegal. Last year, after the inspectors appointed specially for schools in the Gaeltacht two years ago had had time to become familiar with their districts, it was decided to increase from £100 to £500 the subsidy towards the production of plays in the Gaeltacht, and that any companies that sprang up should receive full co-operation from the special inspectors. For the effect of this comparatively small increased expenditure a comparison of the position in 1949-50 with that of 1950-51 speaks for itself. Whereas in 1949-50 a total of eight companies (all in County Donegal) participated in the scheme, in 1950-51 the figure for County Donegal alone was eight companies, for Connacht ten companies, and for Munster five companies.
Another noteworthy advance is the establishment in the Munster area of a widely represented general committee, with several local committees, to foster the development not alone of drama but also of concerts, lectures, feiseanna, etc., for the various Gaeltacht districts in that area.
This year Comhaltas Uladh celebrates the jubilee of its foundation. In the 25 years of its existence Comhaltas Uladh has achieved magnificent work for Irish, both in the Gaeltacht areas in Donegal and throughout the province of Ulster generally. The Comhaltas is planning to strengthen the position in the Gaeltacht further by erecting halls which would serve as centres both for summer schools and for dramatic and social activities. The first of these halls is to be built in the Ros Guill Gaeltacht, and to mark the occasion of the jubilee, and as an earnest of the appreciation of the Government for the work which the Comhaltas is doing, it is proposed to give a State grant of £2,500 towards the erection of the Ros Guill Gaeltacht hall.
This was an idea of my predecessor's, and I think it was a good idea. The idea of special inspectors was also one of my predecessor's. I think it was a brilliant idea. With regard to the grant of which I spoke, provision has not been made in the Estimates this year for the project, but I am asking the House to agree that a Supplementary Estimate be passed for this payment of £2,500.
