§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the total number of assistant teachers (male and female) in Irish national schools; their initial and average salaries; the number who have given ten years service and are classed second grade under the old rules; the estimated additional sum which would be required to give those teachers present second grade salary and increments; and whether he will state the average salary paid to Scotch assistant teachers.
MR. BRYCEI am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that on December 31st, 1905, the number of assistant teachers employed in national schools was 4,338, namely 1,219 male and 3,119 female teachers. The initial salaries of these teachers, respectively, are £56 and £44 per annum, with the addition in each case of the residual capitation grant. Their average salaries, including residual capitation grant, are £73 13s. 10d. and £58 7s. 9d., respectively. The numbers who have had ten years service and are classed second grade are 265 and 745 respectively. The Commissioners estimate that the sum required to provide minimum second grade salaries for all assistants who are receiving less salaries would for the first year be between £8,000 and £9,000. For succeeding years the charge would be an increasing one, but the ultimate amount could not be estimated without an actuarial calculation. According to the latest published returns, the salaries of Scotch assistant teachers are, for men, £120 11s. 8d., and for women, £73 8s. 8d.