MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny City)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant for Ireland (1) whether he is aware that the governors of the Maryborough Lunatic Asylum appointed as head attendant in January last a man without previous experience of asylums, although there were numerous applicants from different asylums who hold certificates of proficiency, and had long service and first-class records in the other asylums; (2) whether this appointment was made with his sanction; and, whether he intends to take any, and, if so, what action in this matter?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELANDI understand the facts are correctly stated in the first paragraph. It is obviously undesirable in the interest of the insane poor that the office of head attendant in a district asylum should be filled by a person without previous experience of asylum work, and the Inspectors of Lunatic Asylums have from time to time strongly impressed this upon Boards of Governors. The Inspectors, on their next visit within the probationary period of the appointment referred to in the Question, will inquire into the man's suitability for the post, and, if necessary, will address a remonstrance to the Governors of the Maryborough Asylum. But beyond this the Inspectors have no power to enforce their views upon the Governors, in whom the appointment is vested.