§ Mr. BYRNEasked what number of abstractor clerks employed in the office of National Education (Ireland) were recently recommended for promotion; the length of service of each; whether abstractor clerks of over thirty years' service have been passed over, although some of them were granted special gratuities for highly efficient work within the past two years; and whether the ratification of all recommendations for promotion will be postponed until a full inquiry into the system under which these recommendations are made is instituted?
§ Mr. DUKEIn connection with the reorganisation of the staff of the office of National Education consequent upon the payment of the salaries of the teachers of national schools monthly, the Commissioners have recommended three assistant clerks for promotion to the second division. These recommendations have been made after consulting the superintendents of the different departments and other officers who have an intimate knowledge of the work of the various members of the staff. The clerks recommended had respectively 18½, 10¼ and 6 5–12 years' service. There are some assistant clerks whose combined service as temporary copyists and assistant clerks covers a period of over thirty years. The claims of these officers were not overlooked. Seniority of service receives due consideration when dealing with questions of promotion, but is not the determining factor. I cannot adopt the suggestion in the concluding part of the question.