§ 30. Mr. CLANCYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will ascertain from the Commissioners of National Education the number of vacancies in the first division of first grade of men teachers in Ireland; how many have fulfilled the conditions laid down by the Commissioners of National Education and are eligible for special promotion to that grade and to whom the Commissioners are morally responsible to pay the salary to these teachers of which they are deprived owing to the limitation of standard numbers in the grade; and whether the Commissioners, who hold out inducements by way 493 of special promotion, will now ask that there should be an increase in the standard numbers in the grade so that these teachers may receive the promotion and consequent increase of salary which have been withheld from some of them for two years?
§ Mr. DUKEThe number of vacancies is twelve. As far as can be ascertained, about fifty teachers are eligible for the promotion mentioned. Such promotion appears not to be a legal right, and an application for an increase in the standard numbers could not be favourably entertained at the present time.