§ MR. J. DEVLINTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Irish national teachers, in several congresses held since the introduction of the new system in 1900, have claimed that teachers placed in grades lower than their classes should be placed in grades corresponding to their qualifications, as ascertained by examination, without having to fulfil the conditions of those who have not passed such examinations; and whether in this connection, he will consider the claims of teachers classed first-of-first, having the requisite average attendance in the allocation of the new grant.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Resolutions on this subject have been received. The case of the particular teachers referred to is fully dealt with in my reply to the Question put by the hon. Member for North Donegal on 13th February last. As will be seen from that Answer, the Commissioners of National Education have already given special consideration to the case of these particular teachers, and therefore I cannot promise that any exceptional treatment will be given to them in the allocation of the supplementary grant.