§ MR. SAMUEL YOUNG (Cavan, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the medical officer of health for a district has power to close a national school in conse- 1056 quence of epidemic; and, if so, whether the teacher's salary is liable to be reduced in consequence of such closing.
§ MR. WYNDHAMA medical officer of health may recommend the closing of a school on the ground stated. The published regulations of the Commissioners expressly provide that in such circumstances a teacher's salary shall not be liable to reduction, except in cases where a school is closed for a very prolonged period. Salary without abatement may be paid for four consecutive quarters. An epidemic would hardly continue for more than a year.