§ 64. Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the total number of male pensioned teachers in Ireland is 1,072, and the total amount of the pensions paid to them £50,231, or an average of £46 each per annum, which has a present value of £20 per annum; whether the total number of female teachers on pension is 1,550, and the total amount of pensions paid to them £56,656 per annum, being an average of £36 each per annum, the present value of which is about £15; whether the average pension paid to both male and female teachers is about £40, which works out at a present value of from £16 to £17 per annum; and, if so, whether, in view of these facts, he will further consider the question of increasing the amount of the pension grant to these teachers?
§ Mr. DUKEThe books of the Teachers' Pension Fund at the end of November, 1916, showed 1,088 men receiving £50,628 in pensions and 1,616 women receiving £60,559. The average being £46 for men and £37 for women, and £41 for both sexes. These pensioners include a. large number of teachers who retired with short 652 service and whose pensions are consequently small. Since the beginning of the War the average pension for men has been increased by 15 per cent., that for women 23 per cent., and that for both sexes 20 per cent. I can hold out no hope of a further increase.