§ Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the principal teacher of Irish national school, Roll No. 1674, was informed by the Commissioners of National Education on 15th september, 1910, that he had been promoted to the first division of first grade from 1st April, 858W 1910, for efficient service; if this teacher had to wait one year and nine months before he received the salary attached to the higher grade which according to Rule 105 (a) of Commissioners' code should have been paid on promotion; if the violation of this rule caused the teacher to lose £21 of grade salary; whether the satisfactory service given by him from 1st April, 1910, to 1st January, 1912, is not taken into account in awarding his next triennial increment, thereby causing a further loss to this teacher during the six years ending 30th April, 1916, of £21 more; if this holding up of his service violates Rule 108 (b); did this teacher qualify for promotion under Rule 104 (a); was this rule sanctioned by the Lord Lieutenant; and, if so, will he recommend that the vested rights of this teacher be respected?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that Mr. Peter Donnelly, principal teacher of this school, qualified for promotion to the first section of the first grade from 1st April, 1910, under Rule 104 (a) of the Commissioners, but he cannot receive payment of salary at the rate attached to that grade, nor can his service begin to count towards his next triennial increment, until a vacancy occurs. Awards of increment are made under Rule 108 (b) as stated, but these increments of good service salary can only be granted to teachers already in receipt of their grade salaries for at least three years. Rule 104 (a), which was approved by the Irish Government and the Treasury, lays down the conditions of promotion, but such promotions cannot take place unless there are vacancies