§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what were the numbers of Irish national school teachers in second grade, first grade, and first-of-the-first grade respectively on 31st March, 1906; and what is the number of teachers who in each of these grades respectively were awarded increments since 1st April, 1906.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that on 31st March, 1906, there were 2,471 teachers in the second grade, 726 in the first grade, second class, and 486 in the first grade, first-class. Since 1st April last, increments have been awarded to 1,031, 156, and 174 of these teachers respectively. Many of the teachers were not eligible to receive increments because three years had not elapsed since their previous increments, or the average attendance at their schools was not sufficient or they were already at the maximum incomes of their grades.