§ MR. J. TUITE (Westmeath, N)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, has his attention been drawn to the resolutions adopted by Lunatic Asylum Boards in Ireland, asking for an increase of the Government Capitation Grant; whether he is aware that, since the Grant was first made, the cost of maintenance has increased, owing to the adoption of a more humane treatment of the patients, and expenses for structural improvements, made at the instance of the Board of Control; and, whether, having regard to this additional and necessary expenditure, he will recommend a proportionate augmentation of the Capitation allowance.
*MR. J. MORLEYA suggestion has been made to me with respect to an increase of the Government Capitation Grant for Lunatic Asylum Boards in Ireland. The Government Grant was first made in 1874, and was fixed at 4s. per week in respect of each patient. The average cost of maintenance was £24 1s. 2d. in the year 1875, as against £21 14s. in 1893 (the last year for which this information is available), so that no increase has taken place in those years in the cost of maintenance. The Capitation Grant is made with a view to the 571 improved maintenance and treatment of the insane poor, and is not applicable to meet the cost of structural alterations of asylums, for which separate loans are granted under an Act of 1893.