asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state the cause of the failure to put Section 13 of the Poor Law Act into operation in Dublin City; and whether, in view of the unemployment in Dublin, he will take steps to have this section, which will enable authorities to give relief to children of unemployed persons, put into operation without delay.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - POOR LAW RELIEF IN DUBLIN.
The initiatory steps to put the section in force would be a matter not for me, but for the Dublin Union Commissioners, the County Council and the Corporation. The operation in Dublin of Section 13, as has repeatedly been stated, has been shown by practical experience to produce much confusion and demoralisation and to react unfavourably in cases really deserving. I am informed that in the administration of outdoor relief the existing machinery is sufficiently wide to reach all genuine cases of destitution and that efforts are made to investigate and deal promptly with all applications. Some delay is inevitable if due caution is to be observed in the investigation of means and in distinguishing between deserving and undeserving cases.
In view of the unsatisfactory reply of the Minister, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the adjournment to-night or at the earliest opportunity.