§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he has seen the report of a public meeting held in Cork on the 24th instant, on the subject of outdoor relief, in the Cork Union, and which was presided 1499 over by the Mayor and attended by the High Sheriff and a large number of prominent citizens, and at which a resolution was passed condemning the practice of compelling old people to go into the workhouse as contrary to the practice which prevails in England; and whether, in view of the strong remonstrance of that meeting, the Local Government Board will direct the Vice Guardians at Cork to treat the question of outdoor relief on a more liberal basis?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI understand that a meeting on the subject mentioned has been held. As, however, I have already stated, the grave abuse which existed in the administration of the outdoor relief rendered it imperative for the Guardians to take action to check it. The Local Government Board have no evidence before them nor reason to suppose that the Vice Guardians have proceeded in a harsh or illiberal manner.
In answer to a further question by Mr. FLYNN,
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid that the statistics he had referred to the other day showed an enormous increase in outdoor relief in the Cork Union between 1879 and 1889. He had not got the figures by him now.
§ MR. FLYNNHas not the increase of outdoor relief been accompanied by a diminution of the general expenditure of the Union?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI must ask for notice of that question.
§ MR. FLYNNWill the right hon. Gentleman get the Vice Guardians to consult with the late Board on the matter?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThere is no reason to believe that the Vice Guardians are either harsh or indifferent in their administration of the Poor Law.
§ MR. FLYNNMay I ask the Chief Secretary if he can state what is the cost to the Union per head (including establishment charges) of the pauper inmates of the Cork Workhouse; and what is the saving to the rates which the Vice Guardians hope t;) effect by forcing James Madden (recently afflicted with blindness), and his family, to enter the Cork Workhouse?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURFrom the last available accounts of the Cork Union the weekly cost of the maintenance and 1500 clothing of a pauper in the workhouse is about 3s. 2¼d., and the proportion of the salaries of the staff about 10½d., making a total of about 4s. 0¾d. per week. As regards the case of James Madden, I have already explained that the Vice Guardians did not make the order for his admission into the workhouse with a view to effect a saving to the rates, but in order that he might be taken into the workhouse hospital, as, from information before them, they believed it would be to his advantage to remain in the hospital for some time to have his eye affection suitably treated. It does not appear that the reception of this man into the workhouse would have precluded his family from receiving outdoor relief if they were found to be destitute. It would have been the duty of the relieving officer to see to their condition.
§ MR. FLYNNI must press the right hon. Gentleman to make further inquiry. I believe that the amount of outdoor relief comes to 4s. 0¾d. per head, which for a family of six is a little over £1 4s. per week. Is it not more economical in such a case to give outdoor relief than to require these people to enter the workhouse?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have no wish to enter into a general discussion of the question of outdoor relief. It has been found wise, in certain circumstances, not to grant outdoor relief.