§ DR. TANNER (Cork, Mid)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if it is trite that Major Kirkwood and Mr. Burke, Vice Guardians to the Cork Union, on Tuesday last, in revising the List for Outdoor Relief, in the majority of instances reduced the amounts at a rate varying from 25 to 60 per cent, also striking a considerable number off the list, and if it is correct that a large number of the poor so dealt with were widows, whose ages, as stated in the Cork Press, were from 55 to 80; and, whether, in view of the great poverty and distress at present prevailing in the City of Cork among the poor, a remonstrance will be forwarded to the Vice Guardians to prevent any further cutting down of the outdoor reliefs at this inclement season of the year?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt is the case that, the Vice Guardians of Cork Union have, in the discharge of their duty, made a considerable reduction in the outdoor relief granted, having first satisfied themselves that this could properly be done. Upon taking over the management of the affairs of the Union, they found that outdoor relief had been administered by the late Board of Guardians in a lax and extravagant manner, resulting in a considerable loss to the ratepayers, the expenditure on outdoor relief having increased from £6,000 in 1879 to £16,700 311 in 1889. The reduction made by the Vice Guardians averages about 18 per cent.
§ DR. TANNERIs it not the fact that outdoor relief was necessitated in consequence of the relief given in evicted districts?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir; I do not think that that is the fact.
§ MR. O'HEA (Donegal, W.)Has there not been an increase in the death-rate since the relief has been cut down?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI must ask for notice of that question.