§ MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland the number of junior literary assistants at present engaged by the Commissioners of National Education and National Schools of Ireland; and whether, considering the long service at low salaries rendered to the Commissioners by junior literary assistants, the Government will consider the advisability of allowing them pensions or compensation when they are unfit for work, the same as now applies in the case of national teachers.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The number of junior literary assistants in the service of the Commissioners is eleven. Teachers of this class are entitled to retiring gratuities under the old arrangements which were applicable to all teachers before the introduction of the Teachers' Pension Act. They are not eligible for pensions under the Teachers' Pension Act. This class of teacher is fast dying out and no new appointments are made.