§ MR. TUITE (Westmeath, N.)I wish to ask the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the rules of the National Board of Education, insisting on an attendance of 30 children at schools to earn the grant for assistant teachers, and how the operation of that rule has been affected by the epidemic of influenza? In consequence of that epidemic it is difficult to maintain the attendance in some schools, and I think some modification of the rule should be allowed.
§ MR. JACKSONYes, Sir; I understand that the hon. Member refers to a case where the attendance has been reduced in consequence of illness. I have communicated with the Board in the last ten days or so, and I understand that they always exercise a certain leniency in cases where illness has reduced the attendance slightly below the number requisite for keeping the school open, or in the other case, for 1288 requiring an assistant teacher. Certainly, in the case of illness to which the hon. Member has referred, I think they would exercise that indulgence and not order the salary of the assistant teacher to be stopped because there was not full attendance. If the hon. Member has any information to lay before me I will consider it.