§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that dis-satisfactionis general amongst the teachers and the general public in Ireland at the inadequacy of the bonus granted to the teachers; that the average salary of a man-assistant teacher in England exceeds the average of a principal or head teacher in Ireland by £14, and the assistant's salary in Scotland is greater than the Irish head teacher's salary by £24 per annum; that 42 per cent. of men principals in Ireland get less than £100 per annum, and 44 per cent. of women principals get less than £80 per annum; that 54 per cent. of men assistants in Ireland get less than £80 per annum, 37 per cent. of women assistants less than £60 per annum. and some 2,500 adult full-time teachers from £24 to £28 per annum; that the onus is thrown upon Irish teachers to make provision out of their salaries for free books, stationery, etc., to the pupils; that the increase in the cost of food alone since July, 1914, according to the "Board of Trade Labour Gazette" for October, 7916, is 68 per cent., and is still growing: that according to the current official estimates the Grant for public education in Ireland, with a population of 4,390,219, is £1,812,704, whilst the Grant for public education in Scotland, with a population of 4,760,904 is £2,544,742; and whether, in view of these facts, he will undertake to urge upon the Treasury a substantial increase in the amount of the bonus proposed to be given to the Irish teachers?
§ Mr. DUKEIt would take a considerable time to make such an investigation 177W as would enable an accurate comparison to be arrived at between' the incomes from State sources of Irish national school teachers and those of English and Scottish teachers, but inquiries that have been made from time to time indicate that there is no such disparity, as is suggested, in the salaries of teachers in schools of the same size. The figures relating to the incomes of Irish teachers are substantially correct, but the 2,500 adult full-time teachers at salaries of from £24 to £28 per annum to whom the hon. Member refers are junior assistant mistresses who are not trained teachers. Teachers of Irish national schools are not required to provide from their salaries free books, stationery, etc., for their pupils. The amounts of the Grants for "public education" in Ireland and Scotland are as stated in the question, but the Scottish Grant includes large sums voted for purposes which in the case of Ireland are provided for out of other Votes and public moneys. I understand that the average expenditure from public funds on elementary education per unit of attendance is considerably greater in Ireland than Great Britain. The figures being:
£ s. d. England and Wales … 2 4 0 Scotland … 2 1 0 Ireland … 3 8 6 More than half the expenditure on education in Great Britain is met from rates, while less than 10 per cent. in Ireland is covered by local contributions. I cannot hold out any hope of an increase in the amount of the war bonus already sanctioned.