§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the average salary of trained assistant teachers in Dublin, and the average salary of trained assistant teachers in London and Edinburgh; do the assistant teachers in Irish national schools perform work inferior to that of English and Scottish assistant teachers; whether, though assistant teachers in Irish schools pass the same examinations and possess the same qualifications as principal teachers, they never, under any circumstances, receive promotion, no matter what their qualifications, ability, or length of service; whether he is aware that in Dublin married assistant teachers must pay from one-third to one-half their salaries for house rent alone, and in the case of unmarried assistants the high rent for rooms, etc., pressess equally hard; and whether he will inquire into the actual work performed by the assistants and their responsibility for this work, and take steps to see that they are rewarded in proportion, and that all receive at least a living wage.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the average salaries from State sources of trained assistant teachers in national schools in Dublin (excluding fees for extra branches and evening school work) is £86 13s. 3d. for men, and £74 10s. 4d. for women. For information with regard to the salaries of assistant teachers in London and Edinburgh I must refer the hon. Member to the Ministers representing the Departments concerned. I have no reason to think that the work of assistant teachers in Ireland is not fully equal to that done in England and Scotland. Assistant teachers in Dublin rank as a rule in the 645 third grade. I have no means of obtaining information as to the house rents which they pay; and I cannot undertake to make the inquiry suggested in the concluding paragraph of the Question.