asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that the principal teacher of St. Bernard's National School, Clonbroney Parish, County Longford, has been absent from the school, since September, 1927; and whether he can state what arrangements have been made for substitution in the absence of the principal teacher.

The principal teacher of the school referred to has been attending a course of lectures, in preparation for a degree, at University College, Dublin, since the 10th October, 1927, and a qualified substitute served from that date to the 20th January last.

Since the latter date efforts have been made to secure an eligible substitute in succession, but, owing to the dearth of suitable persons, they have been unsuccessful.

The Department is in communication with the manager and the teacher on the subject.

Will the Minister state what recompense is proposed to be made to the children who have lost the use of a qualified teacher in the meantime?

It happens that in this particular school there is no great urgency on this point, though we have communicated with the manager and the teacher. The school in question was formed a couple of years ago by the amalgamation of two two-teacher schools with the result that there were kept on four teachers, though the number actually required was three competent teachers.

I did not ask for such an elaborate statement.

Probably not. I am sorry I gave the Deputy too much information.