HC Deb 18 February 1887 vol 311 cc23-4
MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Harriet Sonter, lately one of the principal teachers of the National Schools in Belfast, who died in November last; whether this lady was over 34 years in the service of the National Board, and during that period had discharged her duties zealously and efficiently; whether she has left five children entirely unprovided for; whether it is the case that if she had lived for two months longer she would have been entitled to £300 compensation, money on retirement, and that she was actually in correspondence with the Board immediately prior to her death as to her retiring compensation; and, whether the Board propose, under the circumstances, to make any provision for Mrs. Sonter's children?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)

Mrs. Sonter served under the Commissioners of National Education as stated, and died a few months ago. Had she lived to retire from the Service she would have been entitled in about two months' time to a pension of £30 a-year, terminable with her life; but the pension scheme provides no retiring gratuities for female teachers of 50 years of age and upwards. In no circumstances, therefore, could Mrs. Sonter have been entitled to £300 compensation money on retirement, as alleged in the Question.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

inquired whether, as the deceased had served so many years in the Public Service, the right hon. Gentleman did not think it was a case where a compassionate allowance should be made to her children?

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

There are no funds in the hands of the Education Board for compassionate allowances; but I have brought a similar case to this under the notice of the Lord Lieutenant, that His Excellency might decide whether a grant should be made from the funds at his disposal; and I will look into this case and see whether I can do the same.

MR. MAURICE HEALY

inquired whether a grant had been made in the other case to which the right hon. Gentleman had referred.

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

I am not quite sure what was the result.