asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that Dublin Corporation public notices relating to scholarship examinations are published in Irish only; and that many Dublin parents who do not know Irish are thereby deprived of information which should be available to the public at large; and if he will take steps to ensure that this class distinction is abolished, and that notices are published in Irish and English in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Advertisements of Dublin Corporation Scholarship Examinations.
59.
I have no function in relation to the manner in which Dublin Corporation publicises its scholarship schemes. I fail to see, however, how the issue of a notice in Irish in this connection involves class distinction. Furthermore as it is the principal teachers of schools who look after the scholarship entries and as they all know Irish I think that the action of Dublin Corporation in publishing the notices in question in Irish is to be commended.
Is it not a fact that the Minister has complete right of veto over the regulations of local authorities in regard to scholarships? Will he use his influence with the Dublin Corporation to ensure fair play for tens of thousands of Dublin parents who do not know Irish and are left ignorant of their rights as citizens in this matter?
This problem arises because of the very big expansion of scholarships brought about by the Local Authorities (Education Scholarships) (Amendment) Act passed by the previous Dáil. The point the Deputy seems to miss is that headmasters of schools enter the scholarship students, so that even if the parents could not understand the advertisements, the heads of the schools would enter the pupils. There is no question of tens of thousands being left out.
The people who are responsible for this, by depriving people of fair play because they do not know Irish, are doing untold harm to the language revival.
I do not think the Deputy understands English. There is no question of depriving anybody of fair play. Children are entered for scholarships by their teachers, not by their parents. The teachers know Irish and can read the advertisements in Irish.
Have they a constitutional right to a bilingual notice?
The Deputy said there is an injustice to children because their parents cannot read the advertisement. The entry for the scholarship is made by the teacher so, even if the parents do not know Irish or English, there is no injustice.
Will the Minister not agree it is a matter for the parents in the first place to decide which scholarships their children will enter for, that the teacher comes into it afterwards but that the parent must decide first?
The point made by the Deputy was that parents were unaware of this very widely extended scheme of scholarships. I have said they are made aware of it by the heads of schools and if the child is a suitable subject he is entered.
What steps are taken to ensure that school heads will inform the parents of their rights in these matters? Have the parents no responsibility in regard to their children's education?
Surely it is for the parents to guide their children's future. Although one parent would be indifferent another would be very anxious, and surely the interests of the parents would have some influence on what would happen in schools?
The Deputy is making a statement, not asking a question.
I am making a statement of fact. For instance, when the Members here are speaking in Irish I do not understand them. I cannot put a supplementary because I do not know what is being said. Therefore the parents who do not know Irish have no say even if they want to influence a situation.
Might I ask the Minister does he not oversimplify the answer he intends to give when he implies that the scholarship advertisement is not addressed to parents. Surely the parents of children are entitled to know the opportunities offered to their children so that if the principal teacher does not put forward a child the parent can approach the principal teacher and urge him or her to put forward his or her child for the examination. It is wrong to say that it is none of the parents' business and that if the teacher knows Irish that is notice enough.
What is it in the paper for anyway?
The Deputy has missed the point. The advertisement refers to the conditions governing entry for these scholarships. I am sure parents will be aware by now of the very much extended scheme of scholarships.
How?
Because it was passed in the Dáil.
How do they know if they do not know Irish?
What are published in Irish are the conditions governing entry for the scholarships.
With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise this Question on the adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.