§ MR. M'CARTHY DOWNINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to a case which came before the magistrates at Cork on the 17th instant as regards the detention of two children, brother and sister, named O'Brien, at present in the Industrial Schools at Cork, at Marble Hill and Union Quay, by which it appears that their mother and step-father, being in a position to support said children, applied to the Right honourable Gentleman for their discharge, pursuant to the 33rd section of the 31 and 32 Vic. c. 25, and were refused; and to ask the grounds of such refusal, and why the ratepayers and Exchequer should be still burthened with their support while their natural and legal guardians are willing to support them?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERSir, my attention has been called to this matter, and I am informed that the applications to which the hon. Gentleman refers were sent, according to the usual practice, to the Inspector of Industrial Schools for his Report. After consultation with the managers of the schools, the Inspector reported that, in his opinion, it would be detrimental to the future welfare of the children if they were to be prematurely discharged. He also said that it was evident that the object of the mother and stepfather in making the application was to escape their payment of a contribution towards the maintenance of the children. Under these circumstances the application was refused.
§ MR. M'CARTHY DOWNINGMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has any objection to furnish a copy of the Report?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERIf the hon. Gentleman gives Notice of this Question I will consider the matter.