§ Mr. MacNEILLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the committee of management of the Donegal District Asylum, Letterkenny, and by com- 2002 mittees of management of other district asylums, urging an increase of the capitation grant in aid to the district asylums from 4s. to 6s. 6d. per week, since at the time the estimate of 4s. per head was arrived at it was based on the assumption that it meant half of the maintenance of each patient, whereas owing to the increased price of the necessaries of life the average cost per head is far in excess of what it then was; and whether any, and, if so, what steps have been or will be taken to carry out the objects of the resolution?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMy attention has been called to the resolution in question. The capitation grant, when fixed in 1875 at 4s. a week, was, I understand, intended to represent approximately half the cost of maintenance. I am informed that the average cost of maintenance is considerably less now than it was then. The grant of 4s. a week is fixed by Statute, and I am unable to hold out any hope of legislation to increase the amount.