§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, having regard to the fact that 49 assistant teachers in Irish national schools were dispensed with last year, and 623 others were threatened with withdrawal of salary owing to a decline in average attendance, he will suggest to the Commissioners of National Education the advisability of relaxing their rules relating to average attendance bearing upon the retention of an assistant teacher when once recognised in a school?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the salary of an assistant teacher is not withdrawn until after the expiration of two consecutive quarters of insufficient average attendance, and may, in cases in which the insufficiency of attendance has been due to epidemic disease or other exceptional cause, be continued for a further maximum period of two consecutive quarters. The matter is one entirely for the discretion of the Commissioners.