§ 88. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many assistant teachers are at present employed in Irish national schools; how many have been promoted to the second grade during the past thirteen years; whether the Commissioners of National Education have recommended to the Treasury that they should be promoted to the second grade on the same conditions as principals; how many would be immediately eligible for promotion on these conditions; and what would be the estimated annual cost of this change?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that there were 5,533 assistant teachers in the service on 31st December last, and that 149 assistant teachers have been promoted during the past thirteen years. The Commissioners have not made such a recommendation as that referred to by the hon. Member, but they have still under consideration the question of increasing if possible the facilities for the more rapid promotion of assistant teachers.