§ MR. GINNELL (Westmeath, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that inspectors of national schools in Ireland are paid their salaries monthly while the teachers frequently are not fully paid until the money is six months overdue, and then not directly; whether this is due to deficiency of staff or a bad system at head-quarters; whether he can promise that in future teachers will, like other public servants, be paid their salaries in full regularly and directly every month; and, if this be not done, whether the teachers will be paid interest on arrears of salary.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that inspectors of national schools are paid their salaries monthly. The teachers are paid punctually every quarter and it is only when there are irregularities in the payment forms or claims of individual teachers that any delay takes place. Teachers cannot be paid monthly, as this would involve a very large increase of staff and a corresponding 1439 addition to the Vote. The Answer to the concluding portion of the Question is in the negative.