§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of assistants and of junior assistant female teachers now employed in national schools in Ireland, with the average salary paid in each class; whether the employment is uncertain, depending not on merit but on a fixed average attendance of pupils; whether more than three-fourths of the girls with natural aptitude for teaching are deprived of that career by this cause; and whether any corresponding class of public servants in the United Kingdom, with employment uncertain, is so poorly paid?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that the numbers of women assistant teachers and junior assistant mistresses serving at the 31st December, 1913, the last date for which figures are at present available, were respectively 4,239 and 2,356. The average annual salary of the former when last computed in respect of those serving on the 31st December, 1912, was found to be, approximately, £68 14s., exclusive of592W fees for special subjects and for evening school instruction, while junior assistant mistresses receive, as a rule, a salary of £24 per annum, with an additional annual grant after two years' efficient service of £4. Payment of salary is, in accordance with the rules of the Commissioners, continued only when an average attendance of pupils of at least forty in the case of assistant teachers, and of thirty in respect of junior assistant mistresses is maintained; but grants are not withdrawn until after the expiration of two consecutive quarters of inadequate attendance, and if the reduction of attendance is due to epidemic sickness in the locality or to other exceptional causes, the grants may be continued for a further definite period. With regard to the last parts of the question, I would point out to the hon. Member that the number of teachers employed and the salaries paid to them must be determined by the educational needs and circumstances of the country, and cannot be governed by the numbers of persons whose abilities would fit them for the profession if they were allowed to adopt it.