§ Mr. HAYDENasked the number of national school teachers in Ireland who have been denied promotion on account of insufficient average, consequent on the operation of Rule 127b; the number of teachers whose grade salaries have been reduced owing to fall of average, due to the operation of the rule; and the number of boys under seven years of age in attendance at ordinary national schools during the year ended 31st March, 1910, for whom the ordinary Capitation Grant of 5s. per head has not been paid?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that 1533W the promotion of teachers does not depend upon average attendance alone. Training, position in school, ability, and general attainments, length and character of service, and seniority are other determining factors. There have been no cases in which teachers' salaries have been reduced owing to fall in average attendance due to the operation of Rule 127b. The Commissioners have no statistics with regard to the concluding portion of the question.