§ 18. Mr. MacCAWasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the grant of £40,000, which was voted last year for the purpose of supplementing the salaries of assistant teachers in intermediate schools in Ireland has yet been distributed; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland)In the absence of the Chief Secretary perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to reply to this question. The hon. Member doubtless refers to the Teachers' Salaries Grant which is payable under the Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1914. That Act provides for the Grant being applied in accordance with rules made by the Lord Lieutenant and approved by the Treasury. Rules for this purpose have already been made by the Lord Lieutenant, approved by the Treasury and laid before Parliament, but the rules cannot 151 come into operation until the expiration of the period of forty days during which they are liable to annulment if disapproved by cither House. That period will expire some time about the middle of next month, and the Grant can then be distributed forthwith in accordance with the rules.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that the rules will ensure that the benefits will accrue to the late teachers?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI think when the Act was passed that was the understanding, but I cannot say definitely on the spur of the moment.