asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that the payment of grants to parents in the Gaeltacht areas of Connemara in respect of school-going children in whose homes the language of the household is Irish is now long overdue, and if he will ascertain the cause of the delay, and state when these grants will be paid.

The investigation of claims for the £5 grant cannot be commenced until the school year for which the claims are made has terminated. Investigation of claims in respect of the school year 1951-52 could not, therefore, commenceuntil the 1st July, 1952. The majority of the claims from the Gaeltacht areas of Connemara have already been investigated and payments made. It is expected that the investigation of the remaining claims and the payment of the grant, where warranted, will be completed within the next month or so.