§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY (Limerick, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary 1113 to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, having regard to the fact that, owing to the age rule, Miss Mary O'Neill, who acted as industrial teacher in St. Anne's Convent National School, at Rathkeale, at a salary of £20 per annum, which was her main support, is now obliged to retire after a period of forty years service, he will press on the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland the necessity and justice of giving her a retiring allowance to maintain her in her old age.
MR. CHEERYThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that Miss O'Neill was not trained or classed as a national school teacher, and had never given service as such. She was an industrial teacher in St. Anne's Convent School. The Commissioners have no power to award retiring allowances in such cases.
§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this lady is now compelled to fall back on the rates? Cannot we press the Commissioners to give her a retiring allowance?
§ MR. CHERRYI am sorry to hear what the hon. Member says, but the Commissioners have no legal power to grant an allowance in her case.