§ MR. P. McDERMOTT (Kilkenny, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware of the small salaries paid to assistant teachers under the National Board in Ireland; if he will explain why they are not now paid according to their classification, notwithstanding that their teaching duties are the same as performed by principal teachers; and, if he will favourably consider the matter in connection with the Vote for National School Teachers in Ireland?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am aware of the remuneration received by assistant teachers in ordinary National Schools, and of the different sources from which it is paid. The average incomes of assistants, according to the latest Returns available, are, in the case of male assistants, £62 14s. 8d., of which only £2 7s. 3d. is locally contributed, and in the case of female assistants £50 18s. 9d., of which only £2 2s. 8d. is locally contributed. It is not, I am informed, the fact that assistants discharge the same round of duties as principals, neither have they the same responsibilities cast upon them. The position and duties of assistants are quite subordinate to those of principals, and the difference is signified by the difference of relative incomes. Upon the information at present before me I see no reason for reconsidering the question of the income of assistant teachers.