Mr. MURPHYTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if one of the successful candidates, in connection with the recent appointments of junior inspector under the Commissioners of National Education, has declined the position; how many applicants were there for the appointment; do the Commissioners propose to fill the vacancy, and at what date; and what are the qualifications required by the Commissioners for this appointment of junior inspector.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. There were 158 applications for the appointment. The vacancy has already been filled by the appointment of the candidate who, in the Commissioners opinion, was next in point of merit. Candidates for the position of junior inspector must be between twenty-three and thirty-five years of age, but in the case of national school teachers the age limit is extended to thirty-nine years. A good general education is required, and experience in the management of schools is considered desirable.