§ 9. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, seeing that the case of the paper-promoted teachers in Ireland has been under consideration now for months and that it is one which all are agreed should be settled, he can give any assurance that a satisfactory settlement will be reached in the near future?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Commissioners of National Education do not altogether agree with the views put forward on behalf of the teachers as to the financial effect of the extension of the limits at present fixed for each grade. They have, however, now submitted proposals for a substantial extension of those limits on the distinct understanding that in the event of such extensions being sanctioned no promotions will in future be made beyond the authorised numbers in each grade. These proposals I have recommended to the Treasury for their favourable consideration.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman publish the proposals, and when may a reply be expected?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am doing my best to press this matter on the Treasury, and I hope a reply will be given shortly. I will certainly publish it.
§ 13. Mr. O'DONNELLasked whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland applied to the Treasury for funds to enable them to give a third year's training in one of the Irish universities to 2629 specially distinguished training students; what is the estimated cost; and what answer have the Treasury given?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that arrangements have been made, with the sanction of the Treasury, under which a third year's course of training has been available for certain teachers and King's scholars of superior promise. This does not involve any increased expenditure from public funds. In the case of one of the training colleges where it was proposed that the third-year students should attend a course of lectures in a university, the Treasury were asked to sanction payment of an extra Grant for each third-year student attending a university, but they were unable to sanction this proposal.
§ 14. Mr. O'DONNELLasked what steps have been taken to frame a scheme for the medical inspection and treatment of children in Irish national schools; and whether schemes of this kind have been for years in operation in England and Scotland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education have invited the managers of the national schools to submit schemes for the dental inspection and treatment of the pupils, and approved schemes are in operation in a considerable number of schools. The Commissioners have not up to the present adopted any scheme for general medical inspection and treatment. I understand that such schemes have been in operation in England and Scotland for some time.