§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the average salary of assistant teachers in England, Scotland, and Ireland; what is the number of assistants in Irish schools; what is the percentage of assistants in England, Scotland, and Ireland who have obtained a teacher's certificate; and whether any steps can be taken to increase the salary given to the Irish assistant teacher.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps are being taken to improve the position of the assistant teacher in Irish national schools; whether he is aware that, owing to the salaries given and the poor prospects of promotion, the best men are leaving the service, to 1284 the detriment of education, and that the salary given in Ireland is little more than half what it is in Scotland; and whether steps will be taken to give assistant teachers of ten years efficient service second-grade salary.
§ MR. EDWARD BARRY (Cork County, S.)May I also ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether assistant teachers in Ireland, though serving the same apprenticeship and passing the same examination as principal teachers, can never go higher than third grade either in salary or pension, no matter how long or efficient their service may be; whether he is aware that the maximum salary for men is about £80 per annum, and the average about £63; and whether steps will be taken to place on the Estimates of next year such a sum as will give second-grade salary to all assistants of ten years efficient service.
MR. BRYCEThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that the average salaries (omitting fractions) of assistant masters and mistresses, respectively, are:—In England, £112 and £80; in Scotland, £120 and £73; and in Ireland £73 and £58. As I have said in reply to previous Questions, the Commissioners are of opinion that the larger salaries in Great Britain are due to the greater amount of local aid given, and to the fact that the schools are generally larger than in Ireland. On 31st December, 1905, there were 4,338 assistant teachers in Irish national schools, viz., 1,219 men, and 3,119 women. The Commissioners have no information as to teachers' certificates in England and Scotland. In Ireland, all assistant teachers have been trained in training colleges, or have passed the prescribed examinations, or are University graduates. The Commissioners are aware that there is a decrease in the number of male candidates for entrance to training colleges, but they have no statistics to show that the best teachers are leaving the service. Under the Commissioners' rules, assistant teachers appointed since 1st April, 1900, are ineligible for promotion beyond the third grade, save in exceptional circumstances. The maximum salary of men assistants is £77; but in addition, assistants receive residual capitation grants, as well as bonuses under the 1285 Act of 1892, The Commissioners do not propose to give assistants of ten years service second grade salary. They have, however, submitted proposals which would have the effect of improving the position of assistant teachers, and these are now under consideration.