HC Deb 30 April 1883 vol 278 cc1407-8
COLONEL COLTHURST

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has seen the report in the "Times," of the 24th April, of a statement made on behalf of the Government with respect to distress in certain parts of Ireland:— And the ordinary powers of the Poor Law, though not exceeded, had been applied in the most effective and vigorous manner; if he can state in what way any relief has been afforded to the poor by the exercise of the above-named powers in the unions of Glenties and Dunfanagby; and, whether it is true, as alleged, that in the latter union the guardians refuse out-door relief even in the cases provided for under the existing Law?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, in Glenties Union effective provision was made for administering the Poor Law, and for affording relief in the manner provided by the Poor Law Acts, by appointing an additional relieving officer and requiring all the relieving officers to attend frequently at out-stations, with the view of bringing them within easy reach of the poor. In Dunfanagby Union a temporary relieving officer was employed in Tory Island, and a supply of meal was sent there in case poor persons might be prevented by stress of weather from reaching the mainland. It is true that, in the latter Union, no outdoor relief is given at present; but it is a Union in which there is little pauperism. There are, at present, only 32 persons in the workhouse.

COLONEL COLTHURST

further asked whether the Local Government Board had urged on the Guardians of the Union of Dunfanagby the advisability of using their existing powers with regard to outdoor relief?

MR. TREVELYAN

A Circular to that effect was sent to the Guardians of all the Unions. We have no complaint yet that the Guardians of Dunfanagby Union have, in an unusual degree, failed to exercise their powers of relief.

MR. O'BRIEN

asked what was the amount of outdoor relief actually given by the relieving officers in the Union referred to?

[No reply was given.]