§ MR. P. A. MCHUGH) (Leitrim, N.To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that special consideration, and a consequent rise in salary, has been granted to certain teachers appointed to principal-ships subsequent to April, 1900, on the ground that they acted as substitutes for principal teachers prior to April, 1900, while equal service as assistant teacher has not received special consideration; and, if so, will he state why the Commissioners of National Education have made this distinction.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) In the case of certain teachers who acted as substitutes, for principal teachers before April 1st, 1900, special consideration was given to the fact that they had so acted in fixing their salaries on permanent appointment as principals subsequently. Assistants in the service prior to April 1st, 1900, received, as a rule, on promotion to principalships, initial salaries equal to their salaries as assistants, but if they were highly classed special consideration was given to the fact in fixing their initial salaries as principals. Service as an assistant was not regarded by the Commissioners as "equal service" with that of a teacher acting for a principal teacher.