asked the Minister for Education whether the appointment of William Hyland, O'Moore Street, Mountmellick, as School Attendance Officer for Mountmellick, Clonaslee, and Portarlington, Leix, was sanctioned by the National Education Board in 1908; whether it was with the sanction of the Board that he was dismissed in 1920; and to ask if he will have him reinstated in his former position, and if he will recommend payment of suitable compensation for alleged wrongful dismissal.

The appointment of Mr. William Hyland as School Attendance Officer of the Mountmellick School Attendance Committee was not made by nor was his dismissal sanctioned by this Department. The appointment or removal of a Secretary to a Committee or of a School Attendance Officer lies with the School Attendance Committee for the district (Section 3 (3) of the Irish Education Act, 1892).

Can the Minister ter state to whom are those School Attendance Committees responsible, or are they responsible to anybody?

I am afraid I could not add anything to the Deputy's knowledge in that matter.

Can the Minister confirm his knowledge?