§ Under the provisions of the Irish Poor Relief Acts outdoor relief may be given to the following classes:—
- 1. Destitute poor persons permanently disabled from labour by reason of old age, infirmity, or bodily or mental defect. [10 Vict. c. 31, sec. 1.]
- 2. Destitute poor persons disabled from labour by reason of severe sickness or serious accident, and thereby deprived of the means of earning a subsistence for themselves and families. [10 Vict. c. 31, sec. 1.]
- 3. Destitute poor widows having two or more legitimate children dependent upon them. [10 Vict. c. 31, sec. 1.]
- 4. In the event of there being want of room in the workhouse or offices, or infectious diseases therein rendering it unfit for the reception of destitute poor, the commissioners may authorize the guardians to give outdoor relief in food only, and for a limited time, to any other class. [10 Vict. c. 31, sec. 2.]
- 5. In cases of sudden and urgent necessity, immediate and temporary relief may be given by the relieving officers out of the workhouse [10 Vict. c. 31, sec. 7] to any person whatever.
- 6. In cases of eviction relief may be given temporarily out of the workhouse to any class by the relieving officer. [11 & 12 Vict. c. 47, sec. 4.]
- 7. Orphans and deserted children may be relieved out of the workhouse, by being put out to nurse up to the age of five years, or, with the consent of the commissioners, of eight years.
- 8. Medical relief may be afforded to all classes without restriction [14 &c, 15 Vict. c. 68, sec. 9], on a ticket signed by one of the persons authorized to grant medical relief, of whom there are from fifteen to thirty in each dispensary district.
- 9. Section 3 of 25 & 20 Vict. e. 83 authorizes the admission of sick persons into the infirmary or fever hospital of "the workhouse, without requiring any other member of the family to accompany them.