MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Irish national teachers in the service on the 31st March, 1900. and who will be graded according to the new system higher than their present classes, receive the pension of the class or grade to which they will be promoted by paying an increased premium, in the same way that teachers appointed after the 31st March, 1900, and who will be similarly graded, will get pension rights.
MR. THOMAS O'DOXNELL (Kerry, W.)At the same time may I ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether teachers in Irish national schools will in future get pensions according to their new grades or according to the classification which has been abolished; and, if the latter, can he state what arrangements have been made for promoting deserving teacher's to a higher class on the list of prospective pensions.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM,) DoverAt present teachers pay for the pensions of the classes which they have obtained by examination. Under the new scheme they will rise from grade to grade, as distinguished from classes, by seniority and efficient service. The commissioners have resolved that teachers in the service prior to the 1st April, 1900, are to retain their classifications. How far this decision will affect the pension rules and the pension fund I am not at present prepared to say. The matter is one requiring careful consideration.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLWill the teacher who was formerly classed as first class, but who may now be in the second class, get the first or second class pension?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI have communicated with the Board of Education on this matter, and have given the hon. Member their decision, so far as it has 62 been arrived at. I have also explained that the way in which that decision will affect the pension scheme will have to be carefully considered.