asked the Minister for Education the authority on the basis of which he exacts contributions in cash and the provision of sites from voluntary organisations and individuals before allocating State funds for the provision and maintenance of national schools.

22.

asked the Minister for Education the authority under which he issues (a) the rules for national schools and (b) the guidelines or rules for boards of management in national schools.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together. The basis for ministerial action in relation to national schools is set out in the rules and regulations which are made by the Minister for Education with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance. Authority for such rules and regulations was conveyed by Government, with the agreement of Parliament, in 1831 to a body to be known and later incorporated as the Commissioners of National Education. This authority was confirmed by annual appropriations of public funds to be expended by the commissioners. Authority in these matters became vested in the Minister for Education under the Ministers and Secretaries Act of 1924. Arrangements for the local management of national schools and for local contribution towards their establishment has been a feature of the system since its beginnings in 1831.

Would the Minister not agree that although the situation is as he has described it, a major change was made by the passage of the 1937 Constitution which requires the State to provide free primary education? Would he not regard the present practices of the Department in this regard as being flagrantly in breach of the Constitution?

I would be very reluctant and chary in accusing my predecessors since 1937 of acting contrary to the Constitution.

Is the Minister not aware of considerable dissatisfaction among ordinary members of the public who read the Constitution and who expect free primary education for their children but who are then told in one way or another that they have to provide cash or sites in order to avail of it?

I am not aware of such concern.

23.

asked the Minister for Education the arrangements that are made in the trusteeship document governing each national school for (a) secular, and (b) religious instruction.

No such arrangements are specified in the document in question, a copy of which is being placed in the Library of Dáil Éireann.

Has it not been the practice for some time to specify that schools should provide combined secular instruction and separate religious instruction?

My brief says that no such arrangements are specified in the document in question. A copy will be placed in the Library for the perusal of the Deputies.

When will this be done?

Today, I suppose.

24.

asked the Minister for Education the number of national schools in this country which are wholly financed from public funds; their location and identity; the number of pupils in each; and their management structure.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the form of a tabular statement, which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.

National Schools Financed Wholly by Department of Education.

Model Schools

*Special Classes.

Special Schools

Will the Minister tell the House if he can enumerate the schools in question on the fingers of one hand?

Certainly not. There are two pages involved.