LOCAL GOVERNMENT (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ACT, 1923

That one Central Home for Kerry to be known as the Kerry County Home, be established in the building at present used as a Workhouse and Hospital in Killarney; such Home to provide accommodation for the aged and infirm homeless poor, for chronic cases, expectant mothers (unmarried) and for such children admittable to the Home from the County Kerry as cannot be boarded out.

That a scheme be prepared for the establishment of a Central County Hospital in the building at present used as a Workhouse and Hospital in Tralee, with small local branch Hospitals for urgent cases only, to be set up in such other parts of Kerry as may be decided on.

That the Committee of Management (vide No. 5) immediately undertake an investigation into the question of outdoor relief as at present dispensed in each Union:—

That the Committee of Management of the Home consist of 18 members, and be appointed by the County Council, 12 members of the said Committee to be members of the County Council. Where vacancies occur, that same be filled by the County Council. That the Committee hold office for the term of office of the County Council that appoints them, and up to the date of the first annual meeting of the new County Council. That the appointment of the first Committee be made by the present County Council at its first meeting held after this Scheme of Amalgamation has been duly adopted and finally sanctioned by the Local Government Department, Dail Eireann, and that the first Committee continue in office until their successors are appointed. That the quorum for meetings of such Committee be four.

That the Home be managed by the above Committee, and that the regulations governing the business of such Home be made by the Committee of Management subject to sanction of Local Government Department.

That all appointments of officials for Kerry County Home be made by Committee of Management, subject to sanction of Local Government Department.

That the County Council supply the Committee of Management with the necessary funds for the administration of the Kerry County Home on an annual estimate and demand made by the Committee of Management on the County Council, and the procedure provided by Article 45 of the Union Accounts Order, 1905, be adapted for this purpose. That for the present financial year the County Council on a demand from the Committee of Management advance from time to time as may be required such sums of money as will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the new Home, and that if necessary, the County Council obtain from An Dáil a loan to enable these advances to be made. That the accounts of the Committee of Management be audited half-yearly by an Auditor appointed by An Dáil and the existing enactments and regulations as to audit be adapted accordingly.

That a Stocktaker be appointed as soon as possible to value the articles taken from the various Unions to furnish the Kerry County Home. That each Union be credited with the value of such stock taken. That articles not required for stocking the Home be left for the use of the Hospitals. That the fee of such Stocktaker be paid by the Committee of Management of the Home.

That each Board of Guardians be responsible for the transference of their own inmates to the Home on a date to be fixed by the Committee of Management, failing which the said Committee of Management be empowered to board out children and such other inmates as they consider advisable; to discharge able-bodied persons and to arrange for the transfer of the remainder to the County Home.

That all children not boarded out be transferred to the Home on the same day the remainder of the inmates to be removed as soon as possible after children.

The following divisions for the Kerry County Home are recommended—(a) boys (b) girls, (c) males (aged and infirm and epileptics), (d) females (aged and infirm and epileptics), (e) males (idiots and imbeciles), (f) females (idiots and imbeciles), (g) expectant mothers (unmarried).

“Temporary allowances” to be made to discharged inmates [excluding children, who will be boarded out]. That such inmates be put on the same footing as people at present in receipt of outdoor relief. [The Workhouses will be visited before the date of amalgamation, and all able-bodied inmates be discharged].

Children to be boarded out where possible. Amount to be allowed for boarded-out children shall be decided by Committee of Management of Kerry County Home. Where it is not possible to board out children it is desirable that instead of provision being made for their education in the Home that they be sent to the National Schools.

That the present Boards of Guardians cease to function as from date named by Committee of Management under Article I.

That on the amalgamation of the Workhouses control of present Workhouse Hospitals, and all other matters hitherto dealt with by the Boards of Guardians, and not so far provided for in the scheme, be administered by a sub-committee for each Union, consisting of five members, of whom three must be members of the Committee of Management. That such Committees be appointed by the Committee of Management, three to form a quorum. These sub-committees shall be under the direct control of the Committee of Management. These sub-committees shall have only re-commendary powers. All payments and appointments shall be made by the Committee of Management. Such Committees can be dispensed with at any time on getting through their Clerk one month's notice in writing from the Committee of Management.

Status of existing officers [Workhouse and Workhouse Hospital Officials]—That only purely Hospital Officials and Relieving Officers be retained, that all others be retired.

That all officers entitled to superannuation, and whose offices will be abolished under the Amalgamation Scheme, be superannuated. That each officer whose service is over ten years be granted a superannuation at the rate of one-sixtieth of his or her present salary and emoluments for each year's service. For the purpose of this Article the length of service is to be taken as the actual number of years such officer had served, with the addition of 50 per cent. of such actual service—provided that in no case shall the superannuation exceed two-thirds of the present salary and emoluments of such officer—this addition of 50 per cent. of the number of years' service is granted as compensation for the abolition of office, and the officials whose offices are abolished are to have no further claim for loss of office beyond what is provided for in this Article. On this scheme being sanctioned the Boards of Guardians shall give the necessary notice of abolition of office to each official concerned, and should pass a resolution granting to such officials a superannuation based on this Article.

That as from the day fixed under Article 1, all costs, charges and expenditure be charged on the County at large.

That County Kildare be a unit for the purpose of the administration of the duties heretofore performed by the Boards of Guardians and kindred services in the county be co-ordinated under, and administered by one Authority on behalf of the County Council, and it shall be known as the County Board of Health. That all proceedings of the County Board of Health shall be subject to the approval of the Local Government Department of Dail Eireann.

That the County Board of Health shall consist of thirty-four members, sixteen of whom shall be County Councillors, appointed by the County Council; sixteen District Councillors, three of whom shall be appointed by Naas No. 1 R.D.C., three by Athy No. 1 R.D.C., three by Celbridge No. 1 R.D.C., three by Edenderry No. 2 R.D.C., two by Athy Urban District Council, and two by Naas Urban District Council; one representative to be appointed by the County Insurance Committee, and one representative by the County Medical Association, who shall not be a public servant.

That the quorum for meetings of the County Board of Health shall be seven.

That the County and District Councillors appointed on the County Board of Health shall continue to serve as members of the Board only so long as they continue in office as such Councillors during the term of office of the Council by whom they were appointed, and up to the date of the first annual meeting of such Council. The remaining two members appointed by the County Insurance Committee and County Medical Association, respectively, shall retire with the other members of the Board.

That the appointment of members constituting the first County Board of Health be made by the existing Councils, and the other bodies as above, within 28 days after it has been notified to them that this Scheme has been duly adopted and finally sanctioned by the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann.

That in addition to the control and management of any Home, Hospital, or other Institution set up or established pursuant to this Scheme, all powers hitherto vested in Boards of Guardians shall be transferred to the County Board of Health except work under the Registrar-General.

That the powers hitherto possessed by the existing Board of Guardians in relation to existing Dispensary Medical Officers and District Maternity Nurses, be vested in the County Board of Health. The superannuation of an existing Medical or other Officer of a Dispensary District, part of which is situate in one County and the remaining part situate in an adjoining County shall be based on the valuation of the portions of the dispensary districts situate in each County, and the salaries in future shall be based on area and population.

That the County Board of Health, so far as it considers expedient, and subject to the limitations hereafter specified, may carry out its functions through the agency of Committees, whose actions shall be subject to the approval of the County Board of Health.

That such Committees shall be appointed by and act under the direct control of the County Board of Health, who shall define the powers and duties of the Committees, and may dispense with such Committees at any time.

With a view to availing of the existing organisation the County Board of Health shall constitute the required Committees from the elected representatives of the people for the time being.

That all payments when authorised shall be made by the County Board of Health by means of Advice Notes and Paying Orders.

That all appointments necessary for the working of this Scheme shall be made by the County Board of Health and subject to sanction by the Local Government Department, but there must be new Elections for new appointments under this Scheme, and the officials receiving such appointments must stand for an examination.

That one Central Officer be appointed to act as Secretary to the County Board of Health and to perform such duties as may be prescribed. The County Board of Health to determine what, if any, assistance he may require for the due performance of the duties of his office, and to make provision for such assistance.

That on a day to be appointed by the County Board of Health, the Institutions hereinafter provided under this Scheme shall come into being, and for the purpose of financing the Institutions a capite basis be adopted until 1st April. 1922.

That on a day also to be appointed by the County Board of Health the Fever Hospital, Athy, and the Workhouse Hospitals at Athy and Celbridge shall be abolished, and the services rendered hitherto by these Institutions shall come under the control of the County Board of Health through the Central County Hospital and County Home, to be established pursuant to paragraphs 16, 17a, and 17b of this Scheme.

That one County Home and Infirmary for the aged, infirm and destitute, chronic invalids, and expectant mothers shall be established for County Kildare, and that the Workhouse Buildings at Athy shall be utilised for the purpose.

That the system of boarding out shall be applied to all persons eligible for same, and that only those to whom this system cannot be applied shall receive institutional treatment.

That the term “Outdoor Relief” shall be discontinued and that the term “Home Help” be substituted therefor.

That the Relieving Officers be retained as at present, and that they be called “Home Help Officers,” their duties to be defined by the County Board of Health, which shall have power to re-arrange their districts or abolish their offices.

Should the County Board of Health exercise their power under this Scheme and abolish the office of Home Help Officer then to meet urgent cases every member of the Committee appointed under this Scheme shall be supplied with Emergency Help Forms, which shall also be used in cases formerly dealt with by Relieving Officers, where it is necessary to provide for burials, or to supply coffins. Just as in cases involving applications for “Home Help” all cases of Emergency Help shall be brought, on the prescribed form, before the next meeting of the Committee for the area concerned.

Prior to admission to the County Home, the aged or infirm person, if he (or she) be in receipt of a pension or other allowances must

No person to be admitted to the County Home until it is proved conclusively that he (or she) cannot be maintained outside.

That each officer of any Board of Guardians, Joint Committee of Management, or other Authority, whose position is affected by this Scheme shall relinquish office on a date to be fixed by the County Board of Health, and shall be paid compensation or superannuation allowance for loss of office, at a rate computed in accordance with the terms of Circulars Nos. 52, 53 and 55 issued by the Minister of Local Government, and dated 27th and 28th September, and 18th October, 1921, respectively. To give effect to this paragraph Boards of Guardians and Joint Committees of Management shall give the necessary notice of abolition of office to each official concerned when such office has not been already abolished, and shall pass a resolution granting to such official compensation or a superannuation allowance computed as defined. Where any existing Officer entitled to a pension is appointed to any Office under the County Board of Health, the payment of such pension shall be suspended so long as he continues to hold such appointment, but this suspension shall not in any way prejudice or diminish his right to receive such pension on his ceasing to hold the appointment under this Scheme, with the appropriate pension for his additional services. Any Officer who refuses an analogous position under the new body, without valid reason, shall not be entitled to compensation for loss of office, but shall be entitled to a pension according to his years of service.

That the County Council supply the County Board of Health with the necessary funds for the administration of the duties entrusted to it on an Annual Estimate and Demand made by the Board on the Council in accordance with the procedure provided by Article 45 of the Accounts' Order, 1905, modified and adapted to this purpose. The Annual Estimate to be accompanied by a return showing the number, classification, and cost of persons treated in the different Institutions.

The County Council on receipt of Demands from the County Board of Health shall advance from time to time, as may be required, such sums of money as will be sufficient to meet its requirements. For the forthcoming financial year the Council shall accept the Estimates of the existing Boards of Guardians as the Estimates of the County Board of Health.

That the Accounts of the County Board of Health shall be audited half-yearly by an Auditor appointed by the Local Government Department, and that existing enactments and regulations as to audit be adapted accordingly. Further, the County Board of Health shall report, as fully as may be required, half-yearly, to the County Council on the several matters entrusted to it under this Scheme.

That the area of charge for expenses incurred pursuant to the provisions of this Scheme shall be the County-at-Large.

That a Stocktaker be appointed by the County Board of Health to value all articles in the different Institutions affected by the Scheme, and that each Rural and Urban District be credited with the value of such articles as are taken over by the County Board of Health.

That upon this Scheme becoming operative all necessary Financial Adjustments shall be made as between Boards of Guardians, Joint Committees of Management, Rural Councils, the County Council, County Board of Health, and the different areas affected on the basis of valuation.

That the County Board of Health shall assume responsibility for loans due by the several Boards of Guardians and that all debts be charged to the respective areas of the bodies by which same were incurred.

That each Board of Guardians be responsible for the transfer of their own inmates to the County Home or County Hospital, on a date to be fixed by the County Board of Health, failing which the said County Board of Health shall be empowered to board out children and such other inmates as they consider advisable, to discharge able-bodied persons, to arrange for the transfer of the remainder to the County Home or County Hospital, and to do all other things necessary to give effect to the Scheme.

That on a date to be fixed by the County Board of Health “Unions” as administrative areas shall be abolished and Boards of Guardians shall cease to function.

That the County Board of Health shall, as early as practicable, adopt, subject to sanction by the Department, Standing Orders for the Regulation of Procedure and Business.

That the County Board of Health be authorised to make arrangements with any Hospital for the treatment of any Patient.

That Thomastown Union be selected as the County Home, for the aged and infirm homeless poor, for chronic cases, expectant mothers (unmarried), and for such children as cannot be boarded-out.

That a Central Hospital for the County of Kilkenny be established at Kilkenny Union, County Infirmary and Fever Hospital to be utilised conjointly with same, the necessary structural alterations to be effected.

Tubercular patients in all Union Hospitals should be sent to Central Sanitorium, Kilkenny.

Idiots and mentally afflicted of all Unions to be sent to the County Home at Thomastown where practicable.

The cost of maintenance of inmates at Central Home to be average cost per inmate, all expenses of administration, etc., to be taken into account when calculating same. Each Union area to be chargeable with said expenditure in proportion to the number of inmates sent from said area in the County. Out-door Relief to be a District charge.

That the County Home and Central Hospital be managed by a Committee, to be known as the County Board of Health, and to consist of the following:—

To close the Workhouses at Abbeyleix and Mountmellick.

To establish for the whole County a Central Institution at Port Laoighise.

The Central Institution to comprise:—

To retain the present County Infirmary in Port Laoighise for the purpose of the Central Institution.

To retain the Hospital at Abbeyleix for the treatment of Medical, Surgical, and Fever cases.

To retain the buildings at Mountmellick for the purpose of the Central Home.

Medical and surgical cases, as far as possible, to be sent to the County Infirmary.

Those changes will involve:—

But, by arrangement with neighbouring counties, urgent sick cases not easily accessible to Abbeyleix Hospital or County Infirmary, e.g., Slievemargy District, may be brought to a near Hospital in Carlow area and charged to Laoighis County at an amount per head. This method to be employed only in extreme cases.

Dispensary Districts and Doctors not to be interfered with. Doctor's salary, where any readjustment of dispensary area has to take place, to be the subject of adjustment between the County Councils affected by his operations. The County Council in whose area the greater part of a Dispensary lies to pay Doctor's salary, the other Council paying their proportionate amount to Council paying Doctor, as may be agreed upon.

Only persons to whom the system of boarding-out or out-door relief cannot be applied to receive institutional treatment. Help to be given to the needy or medical attention to the sick in their homes in all possible cases.

The Temporary Central Hospital at Abbeyleix and the Temporary Central Home at Mountmellick, and eventually the Central Institution at Port Laoighise, shall be administered by a Committee of Management, to be known as Hospital or Homes Committees (or any other name which may in the opinion of the County Council be more usefully decided upon), formed after the following manner:—

The “Union” as an administrative area to be abolished.

Owing to alterations in system of administration, Boards of Guardians to be abolished, the Committee of Management to be responsible for the distribution of Out-door Relief and the other work hitherto done by Boards of Guardians (except work under the Registrar-General).

The Rural Districts as at present to be the unit for the purpose of administration under Committee of Management.

The Rural District Councils to appoint Sub-Committees to deal with applications for Out-door Relief and other work in connection with altered system.

Relieving Officership to be abolished. Applications for Out-door Relief to be made on special forms which have been approved by Local Government Department. The bona fides of the applicant to be vouched for by the Councillor living in applicant's neighbourhood. Those applications when inspected by the Sub-Committee of the District to be forwarded with recommendations to the Hospitals and Homes Committee. Payment when authorised to be made by means of Paying Orders. Where necessary and advisable a book containing a number of Paying Orders covering a period to be sent to applicant. The post to be used for transmission.

To meet urgent cases every District Councillor to be supplied with Emergency Help Forms. These Forms are also intended for use in cases formerly dealt with by a Relieving Officer, in cases where it is necessary to provide for a burial or to supply a coffin. As in the case of Application for Help (Form H.H.1.) all cases of Emergency Help to be dealt with to be brought before the next Meeting of the Sub-Committee in the area concerned, and in the form prescribed.

Each Rural District to pay all expenses peculiar to itself, charges at County Home and County Hospital to be at per head, as made out at end of each half-year on collective number of days system. In this connection payments made by patients to be credited to the Rural District from which the patients are admitted. In cases of persons admitted to Central Institution not chargeable to any Rural District within the County, those are to be regarded as County-at-large charges

Separate account to be kept at Offices (hereinafter referred to) for each Rural District in so far as the operation of the Scheme affects the Rural District.

Demands on County Council hitherto made by Boards of Guardians to be made by Hospital and Homes Committee, i.e., Committee of Management, who will receive the money direct from the County Council.

Attached to Committee of Management shall be:—

At Temporary Central Hospital at Abbeyleix:—

At Temporary Central Home, Mountmellick:—

To facilitate adjustment of accounts and to commence new system without encumbrance

Since there can be no question as to the advisability of boarding-out children, present Guardians to be requested pending ratification of details of Scheme to take such steps immediately as are necessary to put that part of the Scheme into effect.

On a date to be fixed by the Committee of Management hereinafter mentioned, all the inmates belonging to the County of Leitrim in the Workhouses and Hospitals attached, situated at Ballyshannon, Bawnboy, Carrick-on-Shannon, and Mohill, to be transferred to Manorhamilton Workhouse, which shall be made a Central Institution for the entire County, and shall be called the County Leitrim Home. The County Infirmary at Carrick-on-Shannon and the Fever Hospital attached to the Carrick-on-Shannon Workhouse to be re-established as a District Hospital to serve the southern portion of the County of Leitrim.

The Management of the present Workhouse at Manorhamilton shall pass out of the hands of the Manorhamilton Board of Guardians and be transferred to a Committee of Management to consist of fourteen members appointed by the Leitrim County Council, three members by each of the Rural Districts of Manorhamilton and Mohill, two members appointed by the Carrick-on-Shannon No. 1 Rural District Council, and one member each appointed by the Rural Districts of Ballinamore and Kinlough. The Chairman of each Rural District shall, in each case, be one of the representatives to be appointed. The Committee shall co-opt three other members, who shall be women. The Committee when fully constituted, shall, therefore, consist of twenty-seven members; and the number necessary to form a quorum for a meeting shall be seven. Regulations made by the above-named Committee in regard to the Management of the County Home are to be subject to the sanction of the Leitrim County Council and the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann. The term of office of the Committee of Management shall be the same as that of the present County Council, and the Committee of Management shall continue to function up to the date of the first annual meeting of the County Council elected after the present County Council ceases to exist. The first Committee of Management shall hold office for the same period as the present County Council, and succeeding Committees of Management shall be appointed for triennial periods.

A Special Meeting of each body having representation on the Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Home shall be convened to meet on a date to be named for the purpose of appointing representatives on the Committee of Management of the said Home. These Special Meetings shall be held as soon as possible after the Scheme of Amalgamation has been adopted and sanctioned by the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann.

That the present Boards of Guardians of the Unions of Manorhamilton, Mohill, and Carrick-on-Shannon shall cease to function from the date of the sanction of the Scheme by the Local Government Department of Dail Eireann, and all matters in connection with Out-door Relief, Medical Charities etc., shall be administered by Sub-Committees, consisting of five members for each Union to be appointed by the Rural District Councils, respectively, two of whom shall be members of the Committee of Management. The Sub-Committee to be appointed in connection with these matters in the Carrick-on-Shannon Union to be appointed by the Carrick-on-Shannon No. 1 Rural District Council.

All expenses incurred in connection with the Leitrim County Home and other Institutions established under this Scheme shall be County-at Large Charges, and raised equally over the entire County.

The Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Home shall submit their Annual Estimate and Demand to the Leitrim County Council for its requirements for the ensuing year. A Special Meeting of the said Committee of Management shall be summoned on or before the 16th January in each financial year, at which the Clerk shall submit his Estimate of the Liabilities and requirements of the Committee to be provided for by the County Council during the ensuing financial year, and the Committee shall, by resolution, to be recorded on the minutes of the Meeting, adopt same, with or without amendment, and shall thereupon make and estimate and demand under their seal for the amount required. This demand shall be transmitted to the County Council, and a certified copy of same forwarded to the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann. Should the Committee fail to make such estimate and demand within the specified time, the Clerk of the Committee shall be empowered to furnish his estimate to the Secretary of the Leitrim County Council and to the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann. For the present financial year the Leitrim County Council shall, on demand from the Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Council Home, advance such sums as shall be necessary to finance the Leitrim County Home and District Hospital.

The Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Home shall appoint their own Treasurer, which must be a Banking Company.

A Stocktaker shall be appointed as soon as possible to value the articles taken from the different Workhouses to furnish the Leitrim County Home. Each Union shall be credited with the value of such stock taken, and the fee of the Stocktaker shall be paid by the Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Home.

The Accounts of the Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Home shall be audited half-yearly by an Auditor of the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann, and the existing enactments and regulations as to audit shall be adopted for the present.

The Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Home shall adopt such Standing Orders and Regulations as shall be deemed necessary by the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann.

The appointment of Officials of the Leitrim County Home shall be made by the Committee of Management, subject to the approval of the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann. The position of Secretary to the Committee of Management to be filled after a qualifying examination at which Irish and Accountancy shall be obligatory subjects. Preference will be given where possible to those whose Office shall be abolished under this Scheme, provided that in the case of an appointment of an official who is entitled to or is receiving a superannuation allowance or gratuity under this Scheme, such official must, as a condition of appointment, waive all claims to superannuation, or if a gratuity has been given, the Official concerned must refund to the Leitrim County Council the amount of such gratuity. All appointments shall be temporary for a period of six months, and the salary attaching to each office shall be subject to revision with the approval of the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann at the end of that period. Appointments shall then be made permanent, conditional on satisfactory service having been given. Intimation of appointments shall be made through public advertisement, and canvassing shall be regarded as a disqualification.

On a date to be fixed by the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann, the Guardians of the Unions of Manorhamilton, Carrick-on-Shannon, and Mohill shall call a Special Meeting to terminate the appointments of all Officials and all other employees whose Offices and employment cease simultaneously with the coming into operation of this Scheme. Where the Clerk of the Union is also Clerk of the District Council, his Office as Clerk of the Union shall be abolished, and he shall be superannuated on the salary attaching to that Office. The following Offices and employments are under this Scheme terminated:—Clerk of the Union, Master, Matron, Chaplain, Nurses, Porter, Attendants, both Male and Female, Wardsmaids, Medical Officers, and all others who are not specifically mentioned under the above heads.

All Officers whose Offices are abolished, and who are entitled to superannuation, shall be superannuated subject to the conditions that in the event of any superannuated Officer obtaining a position under the Leitrim County Council or the Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Home, or any other Public Body in Ireland, he shall forfeit the amount of his superannuation, provided the salary of his or her new position is equal or greater than that amount. All Officers whose Offices have been abolished, and who are not re-employed under the Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Home, shall be superannuated or compensated on the terms of the recent circular on this matter from the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann. Payments of gratuities may be made quarterly or half-yearly should the finances not permit of the payment of a bulk sum. Objections to the amount of each superannuation or gratuity may be referred to the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann, whose decision must be regarded as final.

The funds required to carry out the preceding section shall be obtained by way of loan by the Leitrim County Council, and the repayment of the Instalments and Interest thereon shall be a charge upon the central appropriate Rural Districts.

Dispensary Doctors and District Maternity Nurses shall continue to discharge their duties as heretofore in their respective Dispensary Districts.

The Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Home shall, as soon as this Scheme has obtained the sanction of the Leitrim County Council and the Local Government Department of Dáil Eireann, make, with as little delay as possible, the necessary arrangements for transferring the inmates to the Leitrim County Home at Manorhamilton.

As regards the question of Workhouse children, the Committee of Management shall be charged with the duty of boarding-out all, or as many as, possible, of the institution children. The Sub-Committee, hereinafter mentioned, shall assist the Committee of Management of the Leitrim County Home in the matter of procuring suitable foster-parents in the districts under their control, and shall report regularly on the condition of the children boarded out. The Committee of Management shall see that the children are boarded-out as soon as possible—no child over the age of three years to be retained in the Leitrim County Home. Should it be found impracticable to board out certain children, the Committee at their discretion may have them transferred to an industrial school or similar institution.

As regards the question of expectant mothers and unmarried mothers, a separate department in the central institution will, for the present, have to be set aside to deal with this class.

The institution at Manorhamilton to comprise:—

The following improvements are recommended in the Workhouse Buildings at Manorhamilton in order that same may be utilised as a County Hospital and Home:—

In order that the County Infirmary at Carrick-on-Shannon may function as District Hospital, the following improvements are recommended:

The adoption of this scheme necessarily calls for the following changes in the present administration:—

Under this scheme there will be no relieving officers, and applications for outdoor relief to be made on separate forms. The bona fides of the applicants to be vouched for by the County Councillor living in the district in which the applicants reside. Such applications, when dealt with by the Sub-Committee of the district, to be forwarded with recommendations to the Committee of Management. Payment when authorised to be made by means of Paying Orders, and, where necessary, books of Paying Orders covering a period to be utilised in this connection.

To meet urgent cases every District Councillor to be supplied with Emergency Help Forms. These Forms are also intended for use in cases formerly dealt with by Relieving Officers in cases where it is necessary to provide for a burial, or to supply a coffin. And in the case of application for help (Form HH, 1), all cases of emergency help to be brought before the next meeting of the Sub-Committee of the area concerned and in the form prescribed.

Boarding-out is recommended in all possible cases under this scheme. In the case of adults, however, care must be taken that no person of vicious habits receives any help outside an institution, and where help, is afforded to parents or others having children, or young persons, or persons of weak intellect depending on them, it must be seen to that those dependants are properly provided for. In order to make good citizens, special attention must be paid to children. None should be allowed to remain in an institution where possible, but they should, from earliest years, be given an idea of the advantages of home life as compared with life in an institution. None should be placed in a town, but should be boarded out with respectable classes in the country districts.

With regard to the general administration of the County Home, too much importance cannot be attached to the details. The system of separate apartments, separate cooking, and other special arrangements for the officials employed must not continue.

Only urgent cases should be admitted to the District Hospital, and then only when much nearer the district than the central institution. Chronic cases must not, under any circumstances, be kept in the District Hospital.

All patients must contribute towards their maintenance according to their means. Those receiving sick benefit allowances, and having no dependants, should, in all cases, contribute.

Patients paying the full actual cost of their treatment to have the right to bring in any medical aid they please for consultation.

That the Limerick Workhouse shall, from the 31st March next, be closed down, and all inmates appropriate to the Workhouse as such, belonging to Limerick County and Clare County, be in the meantime transferred to their respective County Homes; those belonging to Limerick City to be, as far as possible, boarded-out, and the remainder retained in a suitable Home within the Borough.

That the offices of all existing officials of the Workhouse be determined by one month's notice, dating from the 1st March, 1922.

The present Board of Guardians shall, on instructions of the Local Government Department, notify their officials to this effect, and the Guardians as a body shall cease to function from and after a date to be fixed by the Department, but not until such time as all liabilities connected with the Union shall have been discharged, and the books of the Union submitted to audit.

Each permanent whole-time officer whose office is abolished under this scheme shall, where the number of years' service is ten or more than ten years, be granted an abolition allowance, and where the term of service is less than ten years, a gratuity or lump sum shall be awarded, Such allowances or gratuities to be calculated on the basis arrived at between the three contributory bodies to the Limerick Workhouse, and subject to the decision of the Local Government Department.

A Committee of Management (Governing Committee) to control the administration of the new City Home and Hospital shall be set up, consisting of eleven members (including the Mayor of Limerick, ex-officio); three of these shall be women, as it is desirable that women representatives be on the committee. Seven members (including the Mayor) shall be appointed by the Borough Council from amongst the members of the Council, and these seven members shall recommend the co-option of four other members (who need not necessarily be members of the Borough Council) to the Council for appointment on the Management Committee.

The Committee of Management shall adopt such Standing Orders as shall be deemed necessary by the Local Government Department.

The committee shall take the necessary steps to provide for the re-staffing of the City Home and Hospital, and advertisements for this purpose shall be inserted in the public press, as soon as possible, after the notices of abolition of offices have been issued to existing officials.

The new staff to be appointed by the Committee shall consist of:—

Any such new appointments as the Committee shall decide to make shall be subject to the sanction of the Local Government Department, and when the Department deems it necessary, examinations will be held. All appointments shall be temporary for a period of six months, and the salaries attaching thereto shall be subject to revision, subject to the approval of the Local Government Department, at the end of the period. The appointments shall be made permanent, conditional on satisfactory service being given.

The system of rationing of officials shall, under the proposed new management, cease, and, as far as possible, with the successful working of the City Home officers will be expected to live outside the institution.

The bread supply for the institution shall be got, by contract, from the local bakeries.

The conveyance of patients to and from the City Home shall, with the co-operation of the Borough Council, be done by the City Ambulance.

For purposes of administering Home Help throughout the Borough, a suitable person, or persons, shall be appointed to carry out all the duties connected therewith (duties to be defined by the committee), and the committee shall be free, in the interests of economy and the destitute poor, to make such suitable alteration as it may deem fit in this regard.

Three members of the Committee of Management shall form a quorum for ordinary routine business, and five for any business which, in the opinion of the Chairman of the Committee, may be considered of a special nature.

The first Committee of Management shall continue to function up to the date of the first annual meeting of the new Borough Council to be elected in 1923.

The Committee of Management shall submit their annual estimate and demand to the Borough Council for its requirements for the ensuing year. A special meeting of the Committee shall be summoned on or before the 15th January in each financial year at which the Secretary shall submit his estimate of the liabilities and requirements of the Committee to be provided for by the Borough Council during the ensuing financial year, and the Committee shall by resolution, to be recorded on the minutes of the meeting, adopt the same with or without amendments, and shall thereupon make Estimate and Demand under their Seal, for the amount required, and shall transmit same to the Borough Council, and a certified copy to the Local Government Department. Should the Committee fail to make such Estimate and Demand within the specified time, the Secretary shall be empowered to furnish a copy of his Estimate to the Clerk of the Borough Council, and to the Local Government Department.

The Committee of Management may appoint a Treasurer who shall be a Banking Company.

The accounts of the Committee of Management shall be audited half-yearly by an Auditor of the Local Government Department, and the existing enactments and regulations governing audit shall be adopted accordingly.

The Committee shall be charged with the general management and administration of the Home, with a view to affecting external and internal economies, and to the utilisation of the inmate labour as far as possible Quarterly reports shall be furnished by the Committee to the Borough Council, and certified copies of same directed to the Local Government Department.

That each Poor Law Union in the County be abolished, and that institutional provision be made only for such cases as cannot be discharged from the existing institutions.

That the Workhouses at Kilmallock and Rathkeale be completely closed and disposed of for National use as factories, mills or other industrial purposes that will create employment.

That Croom and Newcastle West Workhouses pass out of the hands of their respective Boards of Guardians, and be governed by a Committee of Management or Governing Body, the Governing Body to consist of fourteen members; each District Council in the County appointing one member, and the County Council six members; each member to be an elected representative of the people. That the one Body govern both institutions.

That the institution at Croom be called the County Hospital, and the institution at Newcastle West be called the County Home.

That all sick inmates (belonging to County Limerick) in the Work-houses at Newcastle West, Rathkeale, Croom, Kilmallock, in Mallow Workhouse, belonging to Kilmallock Union, within the County; in Fermoy Workhouse, belonging to Mitchelstown No. 2 Rural District; in Limerick Workhouse, belonging to Limerick No. 1 Rural District; in Limerick Workhouse, belonging to Tipperary No. 2 Rural District; in Listowel Workhouse, belonging to Glin Rural District, be transferred to the County Hospital at Croom.

That all aged, infirm, epileptics, idiots, incurables, and advanced cases of tuberculosis, in the above Workhouses and Rural Districts belonging to the County Limerick, be transferred to the County Home at Newcastle West.

That the system of boarding-out be adopted where at all practicable as tending to economy.

Orphans and deserted children between the ages of 2 and 7 years to be boarded-out, or failing same to be put into orphanages; children under 2 years of age to be put out to nurse; all other children eligible for Glin District School to be sent there. The present Board of Guardians to take immediate steps to carry out this part of the scheme.

Unmarried mothers with their children to take their discharge from the different workhouses.

Cost of transfer and conveyance of inmates and patients to be a County charge.

That all officials who are compulsorily obliged to retire by reason of the foregoing scheme be compensated for loss of office according to the maximum scale hitherto in existence, and where a Board of Guardians consider it right to mark their appreciation of meritorious service on the part of any official, they may be at liberty to add to his or her service a number of years as they may deem suitable, for the purpose of calculating the superannuation allowances, subject to the sanction of the Department of Local Government.

That the rationing system be abolished in the new institutions, the equivalent in money to be allowed.

That the Governing Body appoint a staff of officials for the County Home and Hospital; that retired officials be re-appointed as far as possible, so as to avoid payment of pensions, and that each Union get its fair value of appointments according to merit.

That Lay Nurses be engaged in the County Hospital and an Order of Nuns in the County Home.

That for the present the several Rural District Councils function for outdoor relief, medical charities, and other non-poor relief purposes.

The Governing Body to appoint their own Treasurer for each institution, and to be supplied with funds direct by the County Councils. The Governing Body to prepare their own Estimate and Demand on the County Council; the existing Estimate and Demands for the coming year to be reduced by such sum to meet expenses from date of opening of institutions to the 31st March next.

Each Union or Rural District to contribute towards the expenses of the County Hospital and Home according to the number of inmates maintained therein.

Charges at the County Hospital and Home to be at per head as made out at the end of each half-year on collective number of days system. Moneys from paying patients to be credited to their respective Rural Districts.

Separate accounts to be kept for each Rural District in so far as the operation of the scheme affects the Rural Districts.

The Governing Body to be charged with the duty of managing the institutions with due regard, not only to efficiency, but also to economy, and of introducing improvements in the management of the institutions as will lead to still further economies. The inmates to be employed and kept at work according to their capacity and ability, and thus avoid the expense of paid help as far as possible.

Limerick Union Workhouse to be left out of the scheme as agreed on at meeting of the 6th June, 1921, except that portion of the Union which comprises Limerick No. 1 Rural District. The several Boards of Guardians in the Amalgamated Unions to be abolished, and that the work in connection with outdoor relief, medical charities, etc., to be carried out by the respective District Councils.

The Board of Management to take over, at an agreed valuation, all serviceable stocks in the Workhouses to be closed, a competent valuator to be engaged for this purpose.

By arrangements with hospitals in neighbouring counties, and with Limerick County Infirmary and Limerick City Hospital, that “Urgent Sick Cases” from Rural Districts not easily accessible to the County Hospital at Croom, may be sent to these institutions and charged at a fixed sum per head, per week, as may be arranged between the Governing Body and such institutions. This method to be employed only in extreme cases.

Admission tickets to the County Hospital and Home to be obtained from members of the Governing Body and every District Councillor of a Rural District in the County Scheme; also medical officers. No admission of patients to the County Hospital unless on a doctor's certificate. The bona fides of the applicant to be vouched by persons issuing tickets, special attention being directed to scale of charges which applicant can afford.

A scale of maintenance charges to be drawn up by the Governing Body for paying patients in the Hospital and Home.

That deceased persons in the County Hospital and County Home be conveyed, at the expense of the Governing Body, to the Parish Church of their native district, and in the case of poor persons, that a coffin and shroud be provided.

That in case of dereliction or irregularities of duty of the officials in the County institutions, the official in charge to be empowered to suspend such person and report the case to the next meeting of the Governing Body.

Meetings of the Governing Body to be held fortnightly at the County Council Chamber, Limerick, or when decided, at the County Hospital, Croom, or County Home, Newcastle West; a special meeting may be called by the Chairman, or on the requisition of any two members. That five members form a quorum.

Additions or alterations of any of these rules may be made by the Governing Body at any time, after due notice to each member, same to be submitted to the Local Government Department for approval.

That the whole Scheme of Amalgamation of Unions in the County be revised after two years, if necessary.

Close existing Workhouses in Granard and Ballymahon.

Form for whole County a Central Institution at Longford. Workhouse buildings to be used for the purpose, to be called “The County Longford Home.”

The institution at Longford to comprise:—

Inmates of Granard and Ballymahon Workhouses to be transferred to Central Home as soon as possible after scheme is sanctioned.

Children at present in Workhouses of Granard, Ballymahon and Longford to be boarded-out, amount for boarding-out to be settled by Home Committee.

Inmates in these Workhouses chargeable to other Counties to be transferred to their respective Counties.

That Central Institution at Longford, distribution of outdoor relief and other work hitherto carried out by Board of Guardians be administered by a Committee of Management to be known as “The Longford Home Committee” formed as follows:—

The Union as an Administrative area to be abolished.

Rural Districts to be retained for the present for purpose of administration under Central Committee of Management, and for road business under County Council. Charges at County Hospital to be at so much per head as made out at end of each half year on collective number of days system. Amount paid by patients to be credited to Rural District.

Granard and Longford Urban Districts to be considered for purposes of this Schedule as Granard and Longford Rural District.

R. D. Councils to appoint District Committees to deal with applications for temporary allowance, etc. Committee of ten would be sufficient. Three to form a quorum.

One Central Officer to be appointed to act as Clerk or Secretary to Hospital and Home Committee.

In Central Institution provision should be made for following staffs:

Applications for temporary allowance to be made on Special Forms. Councillor for District must vouch for in writing the bona fides of the applicant. These applications when dealt with by District Committee will be forwarded with recommendations to Hospital Home Committee. Payment when authorised to be made by Paying Orders and posted to applicants. Where necessary books of Paying Orders covering a period to be sent to applicant. Each Order to be dated as to when payment is available.

To meet urgent cases every Urban Councillor, and every District Councillor will be supplied with “Emergency Help Forms.” These forms are to be used in case it was necessary to provide for a burial or supply a coffin. All emergency help cases dealt with to be brought before next meeting of District Committee in area concerned and in Form prescribed.

Separate accounts to be kept for each Rural District at office of Central Institution in so far as the scheme affects the Rural District Councils.

Demands made formerly by Board of Guardians to be now made by Hospital and House Committee who will receive monies direct from County Councils.

Stocktaker to be appointed to value the articles taken from various Unions to furnish County Home, and that each Union be credited with value of such Stock.

That each Board of Guardians be responsible for transfer of their inmates to Central institution.

That all officers entitled to superannuation and whose offices will be abolished under the Amalgamation Scheme be superannuated. That each officer whose service is over ten years be granted a superannuation at the rate of one-sixtieth of his or her present salary and emoluments for each year's service. For the purpose of this article the length of service is to be taken as the actual number of years each officer has served with the addition of 50 per cent. of such actual service provided that in no case shall the superannuation exceed two-thirds of the present salary and emoluments of such officer. This addition of 50 per cent. of the number of years' service is granted for compensation for the abolition of office and the officials whose offices are abolished are to have no further claim for loss of office beyond what is provided for in this article. On this scheme being sanctioned the Boards of Guardians shall give the necessary notice of abolition of office to each official concerned, and should pass a resolution granting to such officials a superannuation on the basis laid down by this Article.

Average weekly cost per capita to be charged to each Rural District, according to number of inmates, and establishment charges to be a proportional charge on a valuation basis.

All the Workhouses in the County to be closed, and all inmates appropriate to the Workhouse, as such, to be transferred on a date to be named to the Central Workhouse at Castlebar. (See par. 6.)

The Hospitals attached to the Workhouses at Ballinrobe, Claremorris and Westport to be closed and the patients to be transferred to the Central Hospital at Castlebar. The Central Hospital will serve the Union areas heretofore catered for by the Hospitals of Ballinrobe, Claremorris, Westport and Castlebar, and will serve also the County for all cases which may be described as chronic, and which are not admissible to District Hospitals.

A small Fever Hospital will remain open at Belmullet for fever cases only.

Portion of the Hospital presently attached to Swinford Workhouse to be set aside as a District Hospital for a limited number of cases only (hereinafter specified—see par. 21).

A similar Hospital to that at Swinford to be retained at Ballina (See par. 21).

The Central Home and Hospital at Castlebar shall be managed by a Committee of Management, to be known as the “Home and Hospitals Committee.” The Committee shall be comprised as follows:—

The term of office of the Home and Hospitals Committee shall be the same as that of the present County Council, and shall continue to function up to the date of the first annual meeting of the new County Council. The first Home and Hospitals Committee shall hold office for the same period as the present County Council, and succeeding Committee shall be appointed for triennial periods.