§ 11. Mr. O'LEARYasked whether, considering the prevalence of sickness during the past winter and the demand for child labour both for spring and harvest work, he will ask the Commissioners of National Education to extend the vacation period this year by at least ten days?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Commissioners of National Education received a deputation from the Central Executive Committee of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation in February last, and considered the representations put forward in favour of this proposal, but decided that the extension of the school vacation was undesirable and unnecessary. Regulations have been made to safeguard teachers against loss of position or income owing to diminished attendance caused by circumstances connected with the War, and it is expected that the Regulations will provide for cases in which help of school children at harvest work is indispensable.