§ Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Mayo County Council on 11th February instant, stating that the failure of the Government to pay the Capitation Grant in respect of the Castlebar District Lunatic Asylum for the year ended 31st March, 1910, has caused considerable inconvenience in the county administration, as out of a sum of £6,982 8s. 10d., which the auditor certified the council were entitled to under this head, only £4,748 has been received; that since the passing of the Local Government Act, 1898, the annual expenditure in connection with the asylum has increased from £12,905 to £18,698; that this increase has imposed so heavy a burden on the ratepayers that the further liability of £2,234 per annum would be intolerable; and what steps the Government propose to take to relieve the ratepayers of the additional liability complained of?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have seen a newspaper report of the proceedings of the meeting of the Mayo County Council, at which the resolution referred to was adopted. I understand that the increased expenditure in connection with the Castlebar District Lunatic Asylum is approximately as stated in the question. With regard to the last paragraph, I am not in a position to make any statement.