§ Mr. JOHN WALSHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state how many teachers were promoted for highly efficient service to the first and second sections, respectively, of the first grade during the three financial years ending on 31st March, 1909, 1910, and 1911, by the Commissioners of National Education (Ireland); how many of these in each section respectively were not paid the resulting increment to salary, though entitled to it by the Commissioners' rules; what sum has been saved in each of those years to the Treasury in consequence; what is the amount of the unexpended balance which the Commissioners refunded to the Treasury in each of those years; and will he urge the Treasury to authorise the Commissioners to pay these teachers their increments, together with the accumulated arrears, out of these unexpended balances?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe following Table shows the number of teachers promoted to first and second section, respectively, of the first grade during the years ended 31st March, 1909, 1910, and 1911:—
Year ended 31st March, 1909. Year ended 31st March, 1910. Year ended 31st March, 1911. 1(1)Grade. 1(2)Grade. 1(1)Grade. 1(2)Grade. 1(1)Grade. 1(2)Grade. 26 44 51 99 22 51 All the teachers promoted in the year ended 31st March, 1909, received increments of salary. Of the teachers promoted in the year ended 31st March, 1910, five male teachers in 1 (1) grade have not yet received increments, and of the 1964W teachers promoted in the year ended 31st March, 1911, twelve male teachers in 1 (1) grade and thirty-one male teachers in 1 (2) grade have not received increments. The payment of increments of salary to the teachers in question from the dates of their promotion would have involved additional charges on the Vote for the year ended 31st March, 1910, of £271, and for the year ended 31st March, 1911, of £492. The unexpended balances of the Votes for public education (Ireland) during the years ended 31st March, 1909, and 1910 were £15,307 18s. 11d. and £2,854 3s. 10d. respectively. It is not possible at present to state the amount of the balance from the Vote for the year ended 31st, March, 1911, but it will probably be about £25,000. As regards the final paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the similar question of the hon. Member for South Kerry on 12th July last.
§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Irish trained teachers in England, on receiving their training diploma, after two years' satisfactory service and passing a medical examination, are recognised as fully certificated, while in Scotland Irish trained teachers are classed only as uncertificated after receiving their diploma unless they pass the Scotch certificate examination; whether the Scotch qualifications are fully recognised in Ireland; and whether, in view of the disadvantage under which Irish trained teachers labour in seeking employment in Scotland, he will have inquiries made into this matter with a view to its adjustment?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that Irish trained teachers in England, on receiving their training diploma, after two years' satisfactory service, and passing a medical examination, are recognised as fully certificated. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that Irish trained teachers are classed as uncertificated in Scotland. If recognised at all, they are recognised as fully certificated, and that is the case in general so far as the ordinary public schools are concerned, but in certain special cases the Scotch Education Department reserve the power to give a preference to teachers trained in Scotland. Trained certificated teachers under the Scotch Education Department are eligible for recognition as principal teachers, and certificated teachers under that department are eligible for appointment as assistant 1965W teachers in Irish national schools. No change appears to be called for.