I beg to move "That a sum not exceeding £8,215 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the charge which will come in the course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1924, to pay the expenses of the maintenance of criminal lunatics in the Dundrum Asylum." (The sum of £6,500 has already been voted on account.)
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE—ESTIMATES FOR PUBLIC SERVICES. - DUNDRUM ASYLUM.
It is interesting to point out that sub-head B., dealing with victualling and rations, shows that while 10/- per week is allowed under the cost of living figures for a family consisting of five persons, under this head the sum allowed is 14/- per man per week, and for women 11/9. It is worth bearing that in mind, when dealing with the cost of living. Here you have food bought wholesale and not extravagantly—reasonable, substantial food, for reasonable men and women, and the cost of food for a man and his wife is 25/9 a week. In dealing with clothing, we see that the cost is round about 8/6 per week for a man and wife. Thirty-four and three pence is the cost of food and clothing for a man and his wife. I want Deputies to bear in mind that usually in this country there are attached, in the course of time, to a man and wife, a number of children, and they usually desire to live in a house and have other amenities of life, which all cost money, so that when you think about rates of wages you can refer to the Dundrum Asylum, and there you have statistical proof at hand provided by the Ministry.
Question put and agreed to.