The Irish Poor Laws describes a period of history concerning Poor relief in Ireland before, during and after the Act of Union between Britain and Ireland.
In 1703 an Act of the Irish Parliament provided for the setting up of a House of Industry in Dublin to set the poor to work.
Post-Unions
The workhouse system was established by the Irish Poor Law Act of 1838. However there use was on a much smaller scale than in England and Wales.[1]
The Irish Poor Law was enacted by the British Government in 1837 and gave powers to Boards of Guardians to collect a Poor rate as a form of taxation.[2]
Emigration
During times of famine workhouses became so overwhelmed that the only way to cope with the large numbers of paupers was to allow emigration to Britain. This had the effect of enouraging more to enter the workhouse in the hope of escaping famine in Ireland. In response emigration was restricted to those who had received indoor relief for over two years.[3]
After Irish Independence
Following independence, Boards of Guardians were replaced by County Boards of Health or County Boards of Public Assistance.[4]
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