HC Deb 21 September 1915 vol 74 cc340-1W
Mr. GOLDSTONE

asked the Chief Secretary whether a schoolmaster named Mr. O'Shea has been ejected from a school-house in county Clare; and, if so, will he say what were the grounds on which this action was taken; whether Mr. O'Shea is now conducting a school in a barn; whether the Commissioners have held an inquiry into the circumstances of the case; whether the salary is being withheld from Mr. O'Shea because of the unsuitability of the premises of his present school; and what is the extent of the control of the community over school affairs in the district concerned?

Mr. BIRRELL

I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that Mr. O'Shea served as principal teacher in the Fanore National School, county Clare, until the 15th December last, when his services were dispensed with by his manager, acting in the exercise of his discretion on the expiration of three months' notice under the terms of the agreement entered into on Mr. O'Shea's appointment to the school. The Commissioners have no information as to the third part of the question, but Mr. O'Shea requested their permission to teach pupils in the Fanore School residence, and was informed that his proposal could not be entertained. The Commissioners, after full consideration of all the circumstances, decided that it was unnecessary to hold a formal inquiry into the case. No salary could be paid to Mr. O'Shea after the 15th December. The manager of a national school is charged with the direct government of the school, the appointment of teachers, subject to the approval of the Commissioners, and their removal. An intimation has been received by the Commissioners that Mr. O'Shea has recently been appointed to a school in county Galway.