§ 56. Mr. DEVLINasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, owing to the influenza epidemic in Ireland, the average attendance in the majority of Irish national schools has been seriously affected during the last year; whether many of the schools have been closed on several occasions by the local medical authorities; whether the consequent falling off in average will entail serious financial losses to managers and teachers; and whether, in view of the fact that this depreciation in average has been through no fault of the teachers, the Treasury will make the following concessions for the current year: Where the average attendance for the year ending 31st March, 1919, has been adversely affected principal teachers should be allowed to 216 substitute the average for the previous financial year; in the matter of fees for teaching extra subjects outside school hours, the number of lessons in extra subjects should be reduced pro tanto, and substitution of average allowed as suggested; grants to managers for the cost of heating and cleaning schools should be based, where necessary, on the average for the preceding year; and no increment of good service salary should be withheld when a fall in average is clearly due to epidemic disease?
§ Mr. BALDWINI beg to refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Mid Antrim on the 17th ultimo. The question of extending the concession in respect of the recent outbreak of influenza is under consideration.