DR. KENNYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to a deputation recently received by him at Dublin Castle, consisting of the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Governors from the various district lunatic asylums, what steps he proposes to take to enlarge the asylum accommodation, so as to make adequate provision for the increasing numbers of the insane in Ireland.?
THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) New-castle-upon-TyneThe Board of Control, in whom is vested the duty of providing accommodation for the insane poor of Ireland, is making every possible exertion to overtake the crowding that exists in many of the district lunatic asylums. A new asylum is in course of erection at Antrim; plans have been prepared for the new asylum at Portrane for the Dublin district, and preliminary steps have been, taken for the provision of new asylums for Londonderry and the city of Belfast. Extensive additions and alterations are in progress at Armagh, Carlow, Kilkenny, Letterkenny, and Maryborough. Plans have been prepared and are under consideration for the enlargement of Ballinasloe, Downpatrick, Enniscorthy, Monaghan, Omagh, Richmond, Sligo, and Waterford; while additions to Limerick, Ennis, and Killarney have been suggested, and communications with reference to these are passing between the Board of Control and the local Boards of Governors, who are always consulted with reference to structural works. Extensive additions have been recently made to Clonmel, Cork, and Mullingar.