§ SIR JOSEPH M'KENNA (Monaghan, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will consider the propriety of recommending the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland to review the cases of schools where it is shown that, owing to the epidemic of influenza, the severity of the late season, decrease of population or poverty, an average of 70 scholars is not obtainable (but where, nevertheless, the services of an assistant teacher is required), and with a view to render in such cases an average attendance of 50, sufficient to warrant the payment 1659 of an assistant teacher pending the settlement of a compulsory scheme to education?
§ MR. JACKSONAs I stated in reply to the hon. and learned Member for North Longford (Mr. T. M. Healy) on 26th February, the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland invariably allow, in all cases in which the school attendance is reduced, owing to severe weather, prevalence of epidemic, or other exceptional cause, a reasonable time for the re-establishment of the normal average before proceeding to cancel the grant for an assistant.