§ MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, How the teachers of National Schools in Ireland entitled to good service salary are paid that salary, whether yearly, half-yearly, or quarterly; is it a fact that such teachers received a half-year's payment of their good service salary about the 25th July, and a quarter's payment about the 25th October 1885; has the payment for the quarter ending 31st December last yet been paid; if not, what is the cause of the delay; and, will he direct that in future the good service salary be paid quarterly, and along with the ordinary salary?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)Prior to the current financial year the good service salary in the case of Irish 821 National school teachers was paid annually, in one sum, but only after the completion of the year of service to which it related. The change to quarterly payment was made this year, with a view to the advantage and interest of the teachers. Payment of good service salary has been already made for December, 1885, quarter in the vast majority of cases. A few cases, however, remain unavoidably unpaid, owing to circumstances which have necessitated special inquiries and consideration.