Dublin Paupers
GENERAL DISTRESS.
The Mendicity Association, formed in 1818, has for its object the suppression of street-begging, by supplying relief to destitute paupers, chiefly by means of employment. A large building on Ussher's Island, formerly the town residence of the Earl of Moira, and having a large space of ground attached to it, is fitted up for the purposes of the institution. The paupers are provided with food and apartments to work in, but not with lodging, and are divided into seven classes; first, those able to work at profitable employment, who receive full wages for their work; 2ndly, those whose earnings are not adequate to their entire support, who receive wages at a lower rate; 3rdly, those unable to perform full work; 4thly, the infirm; 5thly, children above six years of age, who are educated and instructed in useful employments; and lastly, children under six years of age, who are taken care of while their parents are at work: a dispensary is attached to the building and the sick are visited at their own lodgings. The institution is under the superintendence of 60 gentlemen elected annually.
The Sick and Indigent Roomkeepers' Society, formed in 1790, gives temporary relief in money to the destitute poor at their own lodgings. At a general meeting held at the Royal Exchange, once a month, the amount of the relief to be given during the ensuing month is fixed, which is distributed by four committees for the Barrack, Workhouse, Rotundo, and Stephen's Green divisions of the city, which sit weekly. The Strangers' Friend Society, formed in the same year as the preceding institution, has similar objects, and is conducted on the same principle of temporary domestic relief. The Benevolent Strangers' Friend Society, of like character, is of later formation. The Charitable Association, formed in 1806, is designed for the relief of distressed persons of every description, except street beggars: relief is administered at the dwellings of the pauper. A loan fund is attached to the institution.