Poor Relief (Ireland) Act, 1838

Administration of relief to the poor to be under control of the commissioners who may issue orders, &c.

3. The administration of relief to the poor throughout Ireland according to such laws as shall be in force at the time being shall be subject to the direction and control of the commissioners; and for executing the powers given to them by this Act the commissioners are hereby authorized and required, from time to time as they shall see occasion, to make and issue all such orders for the government of workhouses, houses of industry, and foundling hospitals, and of the poor therein, and for the guidance and control, appointment and removal of the officers thereof, and for the guidance and control, according to the intention of this Act, of all guardians, wardens, and other officers, paid or unpaid, acting in the management or relief of the destitute poor, and for the keeping, examining, auditing, and allowing or disallowing of accounts, and for the making of contracts in all matters relating to such management or relief, or to any expenditure for the relief of the destitute poor, and for carrying this Act into execution in all other respects, as they shall think proper; and the commissioners may, at their discretion, from time to time suspend, alter, or rescind such orders, or any of them: Provided always, that nothing in this Act contained shall be construed as enabling the commissioners, or any of them, to interfere in any individual case for the purpose of ordering relief.

[S. 4 rep. 55 & 56 Vict. c. 19. (S.L.R.)]