CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that under the Acts which empower boards of guardians to send blind persons to institutions for the blind, it is laid down that such institutions must be approved of by the Local Government Board; and whether such institutions in Ireland are regularly inspected by Local Government Board inspectors; and, if so, are such Inspectors' reports available for the public.
§ MR. BIRRELLUnder the Poor Relief (Ireland) Act, 1843, guardians may send any destitute blind child under the age of 18 to any institution for the maintenance of the blind approved by the Local Government Board. These institutions are not inspected periodically, but before the Board give their approval they cause an inspection to be made. No such approval is required in the case of blind paupers above 18 sent by guardians to any such institution under the Poor Afflicted Persons Relief (Ireland) Act, 1878.
CAPTAIN CRAIGHow can the Local Government Board give sanction to these places if they make no periodical inspection to see they are fit and proper places.
§ MR. BIRRELLI have said there is inspection before a blind child under 18 is sent to one of the institutions, but in the case of those over 18 no official approval is required.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe report of the inspector sent to ascertain if an institution is suitable for a child is not, I should say, available to the public.