MR. T. M. HEALTI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland has his attention been called to the resolution of the County Long ford National Teachers' Association, representing that the annual sum given by the Treasury towards retiring gratuities to Irish teachers before the establishment of the pension fund (which is entirely an Irish fund) should be given annually to the pension authorities, so as to enable them to shorten the period of service for pension; and what are the intentions of the Government on the subject?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy attention has not been called to the particular resolution mentioned, but I may say in regard to the matter generally that the old system referred to, whereby the Treasury sanctioned small sums as retiring allowances in particular cases of national school teachers, was superseded by the Act of 1879, which considerably improved the position of teachers with regard to pension, and provided for the fund a capital sum of £1,300,000 from the Irish Church surplus, the former Treasury contributions being thereupon abolished.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Commissioners of National education have yet considered the application for a retiring gratuity made by the late teacher of Derrycra National School, County Down, in November last, accompanied with the necessary medical certificate of permanent incapacity; and will it be further delayed in view of the rule of the Commissioners that, in the event of death before receiving the gratuity, payment will not be made to the teacher's family?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe ease of the teacher mentioned has been before the Commissioners of National Education, who, however, were precluded from coming to an early determination owing to circumstances adversely affecting the 930 teacher's claims. The Commissioners have now had a further Report in the matter, and the case will be disposed of by them forthwith.