HC Deb 29 July 1912 vol 41 cc1647-8W
Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGH

asked whether the Commissioners of National Education take any steps to see that school teachers in Ireland are insured under the Workmen's Compensation Act, and to prevent the managers from making the teachers pay the premiums on such insurance; and are the Commissioners aware that many managers deduct the premiums from the teachers, and even make them insure against liability to pupils?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they do not take any steps to see that school teachers in Ireland are insured under the Workmen's Compensation Act nor to prevent the managers from making the teachers pay the premiums on such insurance. The Commissioners have been advised that managers of national schools are liable under the Workmen's Compen- sation Act in the case of accidents to teachers. The Commissioners have no information as regards the last paragraph of the question.

Mr. MAURICE HEALY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many Irish national teachers were intergraded in the year 1900; how many of such teachers have since been promoted to the grade above; and whether he can state why it is that such teachers are seldom or never promoted, whereas teachers of a grade below are frequently promoted to a grade above?

Mr. BIRRELL

The information asked for is not available, and could not be procured without an expenditure of time and labour out of all proportion to its public utility. The Commissioners of National Education, however, inform me that there never have been any such discrimination between intergraded and other teachers in the matter of promotion as is suggested in the question, and that the case of every teacher is periodically examined with a view to his promotion if found eligible.