§ MR. J. MURPHY (Kerry, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland can state the number of teachers in Ireland who are deprived of promotion under the existing conditions as to average attendance at their schools; whether many such teachers have shown themselves to be thoroughly efficient and experienced; and whether he will ask the Commissioners to adopt some means of recognising the ability of these teachers, who are compelled to remain stationary owing to circumstances over which they have no control.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that it would not be possible without a detailed examination of each case to say how many teachers are deprived of promotion solely on the ground of insufficient average attendance of pupils at their schools. There are, however, 647 teachers in charge of schools in which the average attendance does not warrant promotion of the teachers to higher grades, even if they are eligible for promotion in all other respects. While so many of the schools remain small, there must be a considerable difficulty in substantially improving the position of the teachers of such schools. I understand that the Commissioners take steps for the amalgamation of small schools whenever the opportunity arises.