§ Mr. HAYDENasked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the national schools of Ireland will be closed this year for the Easter holidays on the 15th April, which is the usual day for the payment of teachers' salaries, he will ask the Commissioners to consider the advisability of issuing payment about one week earlier so that the teachers, who already suffer under the disability of quarterly instead of monthly payment, may have their salaries before they scatter for the holidays?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that, in view of the large amount of clerical work involved in the examination of the claims of the teachers for the salary and other Grants due to them next month for their service in national schools up to the 31st instant, it is regretted that it would not be possible for the Commissioners to have the money orders ready for issue to the school managers at any earlier date than that fixed in the Board's rules for the purpose, namely, 15th April.