§ MR. D. KILBRIDE (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, in view of the great distress prevailing in the district, the Government intend to complete the road in the parish of Kilcrohane West, barony of South Dunkerron, county Kerry, from Barnatra Strand to Liss, commenced by the late Government as a relief work in 1890?
MR. J. MORLEYThe Local Government Board inform me that their Inspector has frequently visited this Union of late, but that so far he does not consider there is any necessity for starting relief works. The Inspector will again shortly visit the Union, and report further as to its condition.
§ MR. T. D. SULLIVAN (Donegal, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that memorials, signed by clergymen and other inhabitants of the Dunfanaghy Union, county Donegal, were sent three weeks ago to His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, testifying to the existence of acute distress in several parts of that union, and pressing for the opening of some public works to afford relief to the people; and what action, if any, has been taken by the Government in consequence of those representations?
MR. J. MORLEYRepresentations have been made by clergymen and others to the effect stated in my hon. Friend's question., and have formed the subject of investigation by the Local Government Board. The Board informs me that relief in the Dunfanaghy Union, as compared with the corresponding period of last year, shows a decrease both as regards indoor and outdoor relief, and that the extended powers of affording relief of the latter kind which have been offered to the guardians should, in the opinion of the Board, enable them to deal with any isolated cases of destitution that may arise in the union. The people rely very much upon the earnings they make in Scotland, where they migrate in large numbers and earn as much there in one month as they could do on relief works in five months, and even assuming the circumstances of the people necessitated the opening of works the Board are of opinion that very few would avail 1364 themselves of employment at the low rate of wages fixed for these works. The condition of this union will continue to receive the careful attention of the Local Government Board, and any change in the condition of the people such as to justify the opening of works will be at once brought under the notice of Government.