1960s Children’s allowance was extended to the first child in 1963. The second Program for Economic Expansion 1963 sought to improve social welfare services in line with improvements in the national income and prosperity, Expenditure on social welfare increased only gradually from 5.9 to 6.2 percent in the decade to 1965. However, this covered years during in which real GDP fell. The contributory old age […]
Early 19th Century A series of official and unofficial enquiries in the first decades of the 19th century presented a picture of widespread and severe deprivation. It has been claimed that the conditions in Ireland were the worst in Europe, although this is disputed. There is evidence of higher nutritional standards and well-being, but poorer housing and clothing than in other countries. Prior to 1838, […]
The Famine The famine affected all parts of the country, but the south and west were particularly badly affected. The majority of the population depended on the potato. When the potato blight first appeared, public works were established to provide employment and the addition of food supplies was imported. Relief committees were established under the Central Temporary Relief Commission in 1845. The poor law guardians […]
Medical Dispensaries After the famine, outdoor relief was abolished or reduced to minimum levels. The Poor Law Commissioners and guardians attempted to revert to their pre-famine role. The medical profession sought to limit the expansion of the Commission’s role in medical matters. The Medical Charities Act of 1851 established dispensaries funded by the Poor Law rate and administered by local committees. They comprised poor law […]
Early Twentieth Century The Workman’s Compensation act 1897 required employers to pay compensation to employees injured in the course of work. It applied initially to workplace as hazardous, but the scheme is extended by a 1906 Act to cover all employees engaged in manual labor, whose income did not exceed to £250 per annum. The 1903 Vice-Regal Commission was appointed on Poor Law reforms. A […]
A Department of Social Welfare An important reform was the establishment of the Departments of Health and Social Welfare in 1947. They recognised these areas as distinct policy areas with separate ministerial responsibilities. Irish society at the time was much more agricultural and rural based than the United Kingdom. The resources available to governments are much lower, and the Irish equivalent of British reform was […]