§ 13. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has received a copy of the statement which has been forwarded to the Chancellor of the Exchequer setting out the grievances under which ex-national school teachers in Ireland are placed owing to the inadequacy of their pensions to meet present demands arising from the War; and whether he will obtain for them the same concessions of monthly payments and a war bonus as were granted to the national teachers?
16. Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Government, in considering the claim of the national teachers of Ireland for a war bonus, will also take into consideration the case of 1840 retired national teachers, many of whom have to maintain themselves on pensions ranging from £13 to £60 a year?
§ Mr. DUKEI have seen the statement referred to. The proposal to pay teachers' pensions monthly is not at present deemed to be practicable, and I am informed that under the Irish Teachers' Pension Rules there is no power to pay a war bonus out of the Teachers' Pension Fund.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYWill the right hon. Gentleman take any steps with the Treasury to try and get the grant of a war bonus for these poor people, who have been very hardly hit?
§ Mr. DUKEI am afraid that matter depends on legislation. I doubt very much whether it is in the discretion of the Treasury to recommend a Grant to the House, or that any Grant can be made without statutory authority. But I will not close the door to the consideration of what may be a hard case with regard to these people.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYWill the right hon. Gentleman give the matter further consideration?