Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary, whether, before the beginning of the next financial year, 1st April, he could devise arrangements whereby Irish national school teachers might, if they so desire, draw their salaries monthly instead of quarterly?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have nothing to add to my reply to the question on this subject addressed to me on the 16th February by the hon. Member for Cork City.
Captain CRAIGMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the two questions are not quite different? This question asks that those who desire to have their salaries paid monthly might draw them monthly instead of quarterly.
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am sure all teachers would desire to be paid monthly, and I very much regret that arrangement was not made at the beginning; but the difficulty, as I pointed out to the hon. Member for Cork City, is purely a financial one. In order to go back to the monthly pay- 2438 ment it would require a capital expenditure of £285,000.
Captain CRAIGCan the right hon. Gentleman possibly put down on paper how he arrives at that capital cost of £285,000 to pay these salaries monthly instead of quarterly?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would be very glad if I could possibly do so. It is an arithmetical question.
§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary whether the rules regarding the withdrawal of the salaries of assistant teachers in Ireland owing to low average attendance of pupils have been lately considered; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe matter is at present under consideration, but no decision has been arrived at.