Statistical Report 1935-1936 - Department of Education and Skills

108Department is gradually extending the giving of instruction throughthe medium of Irish. As a result, most of the students now receivingtheir Diplomas in these institutions are recognised to teach throughthe medium of Irish as well as English.XI.-KILLARNEY SCHOOL OF HOUSEWIFERY.The object of this School is to provide a systematic training incookery, housemaids' and parlourmaids' work, needlework and laundrywork,such as to fit the students for domestic service or the care of ahome. Certificates of a satisfactory standard of attainment are issuedon the completion of the full course of training, which occupies twelvemonths.There is accommodation for twenty-one students. Admission isnow confined to girls who are fluent speakers of Irish (the majority ofthe places being filled by girls from the Gaeltacht). Seventeen studentsare at present following the course. Instruction is given through themedium of Irish, and those who satisfactorily complete the Course oftraining are placed as far as possible in Irish-speaking households.principally in Dublin.XII.-RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS OF DOMESTIC ECONOMY.The following return shows the number of students in attendanceat Residential Schools of Domestic' Economy on whom grants werepaid by the Department in respect of the Session 1935-36 :Name of SchoolAthenry: St. Vincent's Residential School ofDomestic Training (Coolarne) ..Blackrock : Residential School of Housecraft ..Carrick-on-Suir: St. joseph's Residential Schoolof Domestic Training . . . .Dundrum: St. Michael's Residential School ofDomestic TrainingDunmanway: Residential School of DomesticTrainingGoresbridge: Residential School of DomesticTraining .. . . . .Millstreet: Residential School of Housecraft ..Moate : Residential School of Domestic Training ..Stradbally: Residential School of DomesticEconomyWaterford: St. Ursula's School of DomesticScience ..Number ofStudents Paid On4493930442144461216Total 305109Sound practical training of a valuable nature not only in connectionwith all branches of housework but also with regard to the branches offarmwork usually undertaken by women continues to be given in theseResidential Schools. The improved facilities afforded by the newSchool at Moate resulted in an increase in the numbers in attendancefrom 15 to 46. In some of these Schools, provision has been made forinstruction through the medium of Irish. This is a timely development,as Vocational Education Committees dealing with Gaeltacht areasare anxious to find centres to which students already taught domesticsubjects through the medium of Irish can be sent for further instruction.xm.-COURSE FOR THE TRAINING OF GIRLS FROM THEGAELTACHT AS CIDLDREN'S NURSES.In July, 1936, an advertisement was issued by the Departmentoffering ten scholarships to girls from the Gaeltacht to enable them tobe trained as Children's Nurses. To be eligible for these scholarships.girls had to be native speakers from the Gaeltacht and between the.ages of 18 and 25, and to undergo a written and oral test in Irishbased on the Sixth Standard of the National School Programme.Applications were received from sixty candidates, divided regionallyas follows:-County Donegal21" GalwayKerryMayo201243Cork"The competitive examination was held accordingly in the TechnicalSchools in Letterkenny, Galway, Tralee and Ballina and in the IrishCollege at Ballingeary. Seventeen candidates subsequently attendedan interview in Dublin, as a result of which the ten scholarships wereawarded, four going to girls from County Galway, two to girls fromDonegal, two to girls from Kerry, and one each to girls from CountyMayo and CountyCork.These scholarships entitle the holder to (a) free board and trainingfor the eighteen months during which the course will last in St. Patrick'sInfant Hospital and Nursery College, Temple Hill, Blackrock, CountyDublin, and (b) a grant towards the costs of outfit, travelling expensesetc., which it is expected may reach a maximum of £20. Where possiblethe parents or guardians of the successful candidates are expected tomake some contribution towards the latter charge.