§ MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Cork Co., N. E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if his attention has been called to the great delay in payment of results fees to national school teachers, the time occupied by the Education Office in the calculation of these fees taking eight weeks instead of hours; whether adequate reasons exist why a definite period cannot be fixed within which payment of these fees to the teachers shall be made; and, if he will take any steps to remedy the matter complained of?
§ Mr. GERALD BALFOURThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that, as a rule, results fees are paid to teachers within a month, or thereabouts, from the date of the examination, and that it is not correct to represent that eight weeks is the period occupied in the payment of these fees. It not infrequently happens, however, that payment within the month is not practicable in individual cases owing to the necessity that arises for further inquiries, but delay in such cases is unavoidable, and I am assured that as a general rule the fees are paid within a month.