Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898

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Provision for chronic and harmless lunatics.

38 & 39 Vict. c. 67.

76.—(1) The council for a county may, either by the exercise of their powers under this Act, or by taking over for the purpose any workhouse or other suitable building in possession of the guardians, provide an auxiliary lunatic asylum for the reception of chronic lunatics who, not being dangerous to themselves or others, are certified by the resident medical superintendent of an asylum of such council not to require special care and treatment in a fully equipped lunatic asylum; and any such auxiliary lunatic asylum shall either be a separate asylum within the meaning of the Lunatic Asylum Acts, or, if the Lord Lieutenant so directs, a department of such an asylum.

Provided that the sum payable out of the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account in respect of the net charge for any lunatic therein may be paid when the net charge equals or exceeds three shillings and sixpence a week, but that sum shall not exceed two shillings a week.

(2) The Local Government Board, on the application of a county council and after communication with the guardians concerned, may by amalgamating unions provide for placing a workhouse at the disposal of the council for the above purpose, and may dispose of the workhouse for that purpose.

(3) Where an auxiliary asylum is so provided for any county, section nine of the Lunatic Asylums (Ireland) Act, 1875 (which relates to sending lunatics to a workhouse), shall cease to apply as respects that county.

(4) This section shall apply with the necessary modifications to a lunatic asylum district comprising two or more counties.