§ 12. Mr. P. MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many National teachers have had their grade salaries reduced since the 1st January, 1915, owing to a decline in the average attendance of pupils at their schools; what is the total amount of such reductions; and who or what authority is responsible for the rule which enforces a reduction of salary when the average attendance goes below a certain figure?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Duke)The salaries of sixty-six principal teachers were reduced from 1st January, 1915, in consequence of the failure of the schools in which they were employed to maintain for the calendar year ended 31st December, 1914, the minimum average attendance of pupils required for continuance of Grants at the rates hitherto allowed. The total reductions in salaries thus effected represented an annual charge of £965, but a portion of this sum, amounting to £218, was subsequently paid to eighteen of the teachers concerned, when it was found that the required average attendance of pupils was recovered and maintained at their schools for the calendar year ended 31st December, 1915. The salaries of seventy-five principal teachers were similarly reduced from 1st January, 1916, owing to a falling-off in the attendance of pupils at their schools for the calendar year ended 31st December, 1915. The total reduction thus effected represented an annual charge of £1,248, of which a part will be restored to the teachers when the required average attendance is secured for the year ending 31st December, 1916. The rules governing the rates at which payment of salary may be allowed to National School teachers are promulgated by the Commissioners of 946 National Education, but such rules must be sanctioned by the Treasury before they are brought into operation.
§ 28. Mr. MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware of the dissatisfaction in Ireland at the war bonus granted to the Irish teachers, who were admittedly underpaid in pre-war time, especially at the distinction made between male and female teachers, in the granting of the bonus; and whether he will secure that a bonus of 7s. 6d. per week will be granted to Irish teachers of salaries of £2 per week and under, and 5s. per week to teachers whose salaries exceed £2 per week, irrespective of sex, and that the bonus shall be retrospective from 1st January, 1916?
§ Mr. DUKEThe position of the women teachers in Ireland has been found to be such as to justify the payment to them of war bonus at the same rates as have already been announced in the case of the men teachers. I can hold out no hopes of any increase in the amounts of the war bonus already sanctioned in the cases of these teachers.
§ Mr. DEVLINMay I ask whether this bonus is to include assistant teachers who are paid £24 per year?
§ Mr. DUKEI have no doubt that is so. Their claims were particularly brought to the attention of the Treasury and the Irish Office by the hon. Member and other hon. Members from various parts of Ireland, and I am quite sure that it is intended to cover every woman teacher who is drawing a salary under the Board of Education.
§ Sir W. ESSEXAre there many teachers drawing £24 per year?
§ Mr. DEVLINThere are 2,000 of these female teachers paid £24 per year.