§ 72. Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the principal teacher in the national school, Roll No. 9806, was informed by the Commissioners of National Education on 12th November, 1912, that he had been promoted to first section of first grade from 1st April, 1912; that this teacher has not yet received the salary attached to the higher grade which, according to Rule 105 (a), should have been paid on promotion, and that the violation of this rule will have caused this teacher a loss of £12 on the 31st instant; that the satisfactory service given since 1st April, 1912, up to the present is not counted in awarding him his next triennial increment, thereby causing a further loss to the teacher during the six years ending 31st March, 1918, of £108 if this holding up continues; can he state whether this teacher qualified for promotion under Rule 104 (a); was this rule sanctioned by the Lord Lieutenant; and, if so, will he recommend that the vested rights of this teacher be respected?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Commissioners of National Education inform me that Mr. Daniel O'Shea, principal teacher of Caherciveen National School, county Kerry, qualified for promotion to the first section of first grade under Rule 104 (a) of the Commissioners' Rules from 1st April, 1912, but he cannot receive payment of salary at the rate attached to that grade, nor can his service begin to count towards his next triennial increment until a vacancy occurs. Rule 104 (a), which was approved by the Irish Government and the Treasury, lays down the conditions of promotion, but such promotions cannot take place until there are vacancies.
§ 74. Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGHasked whether it is proposed to put the £40,000 Grant, promised by him for the improvement of intermediate education, on the Estimates for the coming financial year; and will the Chief Secretary make a statement of the present position of this matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe conditions attaching to the Grant have not yet been finally settled. Some objections have been raised to the draft scheme which was published last autumn, and until the difficulties thus created can be got over it would be premature to put any sum on the Estimates.