§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary whether James Dalton, of Bally-landers, county Limerick, has retired after a period of thirty-seven and a half years-as school teacher; whether, seeing that the rules of the Commissioners of National Education entitle him to a year's salary for every ten years' service and 20 percent, bonus in addition, which would leave-Dalton £291 7s. 6d., whereas he has only received £141 15s., he will say on what grounds he has been denied what he is entitled to according to the rules; and will steps be taken to make good the deficit?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that Mr. James Dalton, assistant teacher, resigned on the 14th May, 1912, after serving 37½ years. He did not join the pension scheme established under the National School Teachers Act of 1879, and was therefore ineligible for a pension. He could only be awarded a gratuity on his retirement calculated at the rate of one year's salary (old regulations) (augmented by 20 per cent, and also by the amount of the bonus (if any) under the Irish Education Act of 1892). from the Commissioners for ten years' service. The maximum gratuity which Mr. Dalton could thus have been awarded was £157 10s., but in view of his unsatisfactory conduct, a deduction of 10 per cent, was made from the full award and a retiring gratuity of £141 15s. was sanctioned.