EDUCATION
In 1923, Catholic grievances were first highlighted in the northern Bishops' statement. Sparked by disapproval of government legislation, a conference of the Catholic clergy took place in Dublin 12th October to discuss the position of Catholics in Northern Ireland. During this conference they had formed a statement expressly listing Catholic grievances in certain areas such as the abolition of proportional representation, gerrymandering of constituencies, Education Act, Catholics unable to train as teachers in Dublin, oaths of allegiance and lastly attitudes displayed towards the boundary question.[11]
[11] Staunton, Enda, The Nationalists of Northern Ireland 1918-1973, (Dublin: Columba Press, 2001). p103
The Catholic Church decided to remain outside the new system for fear the Catholic ethos would be undermined.[14] The state system was largely under Protestant control and now the Catholics' main grievance was that the Protestant schools received more state grants then they did.[15] Protestants' retort to accusations of discrimination place the blame on Catholics' failure to attended meetings on the education issue.
Northern Ireland also contained Queen's University and separate teacher-training colleges for Catholics and Protestants.[16] This was another contentious issue raised by the Northern Bishops' Statement 1923. Religious divisions dominated the debate on education. The composition of security forces as well as the education issue was another source of Catholic grievances
[14] Brockie, Gerard and Walsh, Raymond, Modern Ireland (Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 2004) p223
[15]Farrell, Michael, Northern Ireland: The Orange State, (London, Pluto, 1980). p102
[16] Brockie, Gerard and Walsh, Raymond, Modern Ireland (Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 2004) p223
The reason offered by unionists for such discrimination was that they viewed Catholics as untrustworthy. They view them as always being disloyal to the Crown and always in pursuit of the Irish republic.[27] This was the Protestant main grievance. The NI Government were primarily concerned about the employment of Catholics within the NI administration.[28] Further discrimination was enabled by the requirement of an oath of allegiance to the NI Government to be taken by those in the public employment. This was seen by unionists as a test of Catholic's loyalty whereas the nationalist resented this mandatory requirement.[29]
[27] Hennessey, Thomas, A History of Northern Ireland 1920-1996, (Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1996).p 62
[28] Hennessey, Thomas, A History of Northern Ireland 1920-1996, (Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1996).p 62
[29] Hennessey, Thomas, A History of Northern Ireland 1920-1996, (Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1996).p 63-64
HEALTH, HOUSING AND WELFARE
Expenditure in health, housing and welfare was low in NI during the 20s and 30s. Between 1921 and 1939, fewer than 8,000 houses were built by local authorities throughout NI. Welfare payments were extremely low. Max Hastings points out ‘that in many areas Protestant-dominated councils had used their powers to discriminate against Catholics in the distribution of accommodation.'[31] The Unionist Government denied such religious discrimination. They argued that in all schemes for alleviating distress, in the application of health and unemployment insurance, widows', orphans' and old age pensions, absolute impartiality is observed.[32]
[31] Hastings, Max, Barricades in Belfast, (New York : Taplinger Pub. Co., 1970) p28
