Catalogue description ff. 248-283. Covering letter (ff.248-251) from George Nicholls to Lord John Russell...

ff. 248-283. Covering letter (ff.248-251) from George Nicholls to Lord John Russell suggesting that the existing House of Industry and Foundling Hospital in the city of Dublin be converted into the workhouses for the two proposed unions of north and south Dublin, enclosing:

Board's minute recommending the conversion of the two institutions and suggesting that the existing inmates, with some exceptions, continue to be supported by parliamentary grant.

Report of Richard Earle, Assistant Commissioner, making the following points:

• Any delay in converting the two institutions into workhouses will jeopardise the payment of relief to the poor of Dublin.

• Background to the House of Industry for aged, infirm and incurable lunatics, including the Hardwick Fever Hospital, the Whitworth Chronic Hospital, and the Richmond Surgical Hospital and the Talbot Dispensary. It has received large parliamentary grants since 1777; £21,136 is estimated for the current year.

• Since 1812 the House of Industry has catered for orphan children and in 1819 Commissioners were appointed to inspect it.

• Total number of inmates stands at 1665 and there is a waiting list for admission.

• Additions could easily be made to the enable 1800 inmates to be accommodated under the new system.

• Recommends that the incurable lunatics be removed temporarily to the Island Bridge Barracks, with 96 cells for violent patients being retained at the House of Industry.

• The treatment of the remaining 900 should be similar to that of other new workhouse inmates; costs should be reduced and some may leave.

• Careful consideration should be given to the attached hospitals and dispensary since they provide medical relief for poor patients, both as admissions and as out patients, across Ireland.

• Background of Foundling Hospital in south Dublin, established in 1704 and admitting children for all over Ireland (between 1500 and 2000 inmates).

• From 1822 £5 deposit was required with each child and admissions reduced to 500; they ceased in 1830 but the institution continues to support 4258 individuals (details given by category).

• Details of staff, salaries and allowances. Most income is from a parliamentary grant, estimated for 1839 at £112,55 3s 0d.

• Outlines how numbers might decrease over next 4 years.

• Recommends that the parliamentary grant be continued and that the management and inspection should remain with the current Governors, under the superintendence of the Poor Law Commissioners, but that the numbers of children and staff should continue to be reduced.

• Appendix A: details of numbers of children, dates of admission etc.

• Appendix B: Foundling Hospital Dublin, Return of Cash Expenditure for year ending 31 March 1839.

Copy of George Wilkinson's report, dated 13 March 1839, stating that both institutions would be easily adaptable to workhouses. Two large school rooms and a range of dormitories should be added to the House of Industry.