To ask the Minister for Local Government, if he has received a series of resolutions from the people of New Ross in connection with the amalgamation scheme in County Wexford, and in view of the attitude taken up by the people in that town will he grant the request contained in Resolution No. 2 that an Inquiry be set up immediately with a view to having any grievances of the sick and aged poor attended to?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - AMALGAMATION SCHEME IN COUNTY WEXFORD.
The resolutions have been received. Numerous inquiries were held before putting the existing scheme into operation, and the Ministry are satisfied that New Ross is adequately provided for in the matter of hospital treatment for the sick poor, as not only is there a district hospital in the Union Buildings but there is an endowed hospital also in the town, viz.:— the Haughton Hospital; so that New Ross compares favourably in this matter with any other town of its size in Ireland. With reference to the question of the aged and infirm, the County Scheme provides that where such have friends or relatives a weekly allowance sufficient for their upkeep in decent comfort can be made by way of home help. Where no such friends or relatives exist provision is made in the County Home. The arrangement suggested in the resolution means the re-establishment of a workhouse at New Ross, a thing the Ministry must decline to consider.