§ MR. J. DEVLINTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of assistant teachers dismissed for alleged inefficiency or incompetence since the introduction of the new programme in 1900; whether any, and how many, received compensation, and the amount of the same; whether the question of change to another school had been considered in connection with any of these dismissals; and whether the fact of such teachers being dismissed for inefficiency from one school would debar them from employment in another.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that since 1st April, 1907, salary has been withdrawn from ten assistant teachers for inefficiency. No compensation can be given in such cases. It is not the practice of the Commissioners to recognise an assistant who has been dismissed for inefficiency; but if any manager should be willing to accept the services of such an assistant the Commissioners would be willing to consider the manager's representations.