Letter to the Editor – The Limerick Echo

Dear Sir,

Amidst the recent discussions surrounding the Glin District School, it seems pertinent to draw a comparison between the cost to the ratepayers of this institution and its counterpart, the Trim District School. This analysis aims to shed light on the value derived from the Glin District School and how it measures up in terms of expenditure and educational outcomes.

For the half-year ending March 1899, the Glin School accommodated 271 children at an average weekly cost of 2s 4.84d per child, funded by a poundage of 1.3d on the valuation of the contributory unions. In contrast, during the same period, the Trim School had 226 children at an average weekly cost of 3s 8.5d per child, supported by a poundage of 1.1d on the valuation of the contributory unions.

Moving to the year ending March 1900, the Glin School accommodated 300 children at a weekly cost of 2s 5d per child, compared to Trim’s 246 children at a weekly cost of 3s 7.5d per child. The poundage for Glin was 1.4d, while Trim’s poundage stood at 1.1d.

In the year ending March 1902, Glin had 507 children with an average weekly cost of 2s 9.5d per child and a poundage of 1.3d. In the same period, Trim accommodated 201 children with an average weekly cost of 4s 3.75d per child and a poundage of 1.1d.

Finally, examining the official figures for the year ending 30th September 1904, which are the most recent available, we find that Glin School maintained 296 children at an average weekly cost of 2s 10.5d per child, with a poundage of 1.3d on the valuation of the contributory unions. In contrast, Trim School was responsible for 150 children, with their maintenance costing 5s 7d per child per week, funded by a poundage of 1.1d for every pound of their valuation.

While I do not have access to official data beyond what I have mentioned, it is reasonable to assume that similar trends would persist in subsequent years. These figures tell a compelling story.

Regarding the quality of education provided in these respective schools, all available information suggests that our institution in Glin maintains a significantly higher standard. These statistics should serve as a comprehensive response to the critics who question the management of the Glin District School.

It is essential to acknowledge that without the Glin establishment, these children would be subjected to the bleak and degrading environment of the workhouse. Any fraction of the 1.1d in the pound that represents the increased cost of their maintenance in an institution like Glin is a sound investment in a noble cause.

Yours truly,

STATISTICS

In an insightful letter to the editor of The Limerick Echo, an individual known simply as “STATISTICS” provides a comprehensive analysis of the Glin District School’s financial implications and educational achievements, drawing a parallel with the Trim District School. The comparison seeks to illuminate the value and efficacy of the Glin District School in providing education to children while taking into account the costs incurred by the ratepayers.

The letter begins by presenting data from several years, starting in 1899 and ending in 1904. It details the number of children in both the Glin and Trim District Schools, their average weekly cost per child, and the poundage on the valuation of the contributory unions used to fund these institutions. The figures consistently indicate that the Glin District School operates at a lower cost per child compared to the Trim District School, despite maintaining a higher standard of education.

The author goes on to emphasize that the quality of education provided by the Glin District School is superior, dispelling doubts raised by critics about its management. The letter concludes with a poignant reminder that the existence of the Glin District School serves a vital purpose, preventing children from being confined to the workhouse and offering them a brighter future.

This letter to the editor provides a data-driven defence of the Glin District School, highlighting its efficiency in providing education and offering a compelling argument for its continued existence.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 14 August 1906