§ MR. T. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, what measures have been adopted, or determined upon, for the purpose of dealing with the exceptional distress prevailing in the Listowel (County Kerry) Poor Law Union, owing to the failure of the potato crop and the general want of employment for labourers, as testified by evidence of the ex-officio and elected Guardians, Rate Collectors, and Relieving Officers in November last, and by repeated and urgent resolutions of the Board of Guardians since?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (MR. J. MORLEY, Newcastle-upon-Tyne)The information received by the Local Government Board with regard to Listowel Union, within the last few days, is to the effect that the number of persons on outdoor relief compares very favourably with the number at corresponding period of last year, there being a decrease of 337, while the number of persons in the workhouse has not sensibly increased. The Relieving Officers' reports are also satisfactory. Under these circumstances, there does not appear to be sufficient reason at present to adopt exceptional measures for relief of the people. However, careful inquiries will be made from time to time into the circumstances of the people.
§ MR. SEXTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that the construction of a boatslip at 1427 Ballyheigue, County Kerry, the outlay for which was sanctioned several months ago by the Congested Districts Board, has not yet been commenced; and that the cause assigned for this extended delay is that the Board are awaiting the sanction of the Admiralty; and whether, in view of the pressing want of employment, and the urgent need of this work, in the interest of the fishing population, the necessary sanction will be given without further delay?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI am informed that the Admiralty have now given their consent to the improvements proposed to be carried out on this boatslip, and the work will no doubt be proceeded with without delay.
§ MR. M. M. BODKIN (Roscommon, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if his attention has been called to the meeting of the people of County Roscommon and County Mayo, held at Ballybodreen, at which a resolution was passed urging the Government to assist in the drainage of a small part of the river Lung, both as a relief work to give employment to the starving inhabitants of the district and on account of the great and permanent advantage such work would afford to the neighbouring occupiers of land; is he aware that the general objection which he stated to drainage relief works, that the labour should be imported, does not apply in this case, as there is a large though very poor population in the district by whom the work could be carried out; and, if he will give his favourable consideration, and, if possible, have a local inspection to ascertain the extreme advantage and feasibility of the proposed work, and the willingness of the inhabitants whose lands are injuriously affected to assist according to their means in carrying it into effect?
§ MR. J. MORLEYThe attention of the Local Government Board has been drawn to the Resolution referred to. I have no doubt the drainage work mentioned by my hon. and learned Friend would be one of public utility, but I must remind him that it is only intended to adopt exceptional measures of relief by the opening of works, where the circumstances of small landholders are likely to become so straitened owing to the partial failure of the potato crop that they would be pressed for sufficient 1428 food for themselves and their families. The Local Government Board advise me that they have no grounds for apprehending that the condition of the people in this district will reach this stage, on that it will be necessary to open relief works.
§ MR. BODKINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to a resolution unanimously passed by the Castlerea Board of Guardians, pointing to the extreme poverty of the people and the sterility of the soil in the parish of Kiltulla, and the complete failure of the potato crop in the district, declaring that the people are now on the brink of famine, and urging that relief works may be at once set on foot to save them from absolute starvation; and will he give this representation his early and favourable consideration?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI have been furnished with a copy of the resolution in question. From the repeated and careful inquiries which have been made into the condition of the people in this district, the Local Government Board believe that any cases of sporadic distress which may arise can be better met through the agency of the Poor Laws than by the establishment of relief works, and the Board have authorised the Guardians, if necessary, to temporarily relax the restrictions upon the granting of outdoor relief. Further inquiries are now in progress as to the condition of the people.
§ MR. BODKINasked whether the Chief Secretary would make further inquiries on this subject, as he had been into the district, and found there had been a total failure of the potato crop?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI do not know whether it as gone has far as that, but no doubt there has been serious failure.