§ Mr. GUINEYasked the Chief Secretary how many assistant teachers at present employed in National schools in Ireland have received notice of withdrawal of salary; how many of these would retain their positions if the average attendance required was reduced from fifty to forty; and would he recommend the Commissioners to make the average number required forty, as no additional expenditure would be incurred?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that 206 assistants are under notice of withdrawal of salary owing to insufficient average1406W attendance. In 154 of these cases the average required to warrant retention of salary is fifty, but if this average were reduced to forty, 141 of the assistants concerned would be retained. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that the reduction in the average would not lead to additional expenditure. The matter is at present under the consideration of the Commissioners.