§ MR. MELDONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce any measure during the present Session for the improvement of the condition of the Irish National School Teachers as regards their salaries or pensions; and, whether anything will be done to indemnify the teachers in the non-contributory unions for loss of pay in consequence of the guardians in such unions having refused to become contributory for the years 1875 and 1876?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHWith regard to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, it appears to me to be based on a misunderstanding 405 of the arrangement which was agreed to by Parliament last year, under which provision was made for granting to the teachers of schools in contributory unions an additional sum for results' fees equal to that voted by the Guardians. The teachers of schools in non-contributory unions have not, of course, benefited by this, nor was it expected that they would; but even they have, as a body, received more in salaries and results' fees combined than they did in previous years. With regard to the first part of the Question, I must remind the hon. Member that the Act to which his Question refers only became law at the close of last Session, and has therefore been as yet so short a time in operation that the time can hardly be said to have arrived for amending it, particularly as its results has been to place the teachers' emoluments in a large and increasing number of Irish unions in a very satisfactory position. The question of pensions is still under the consideration of the Government.