Several public bodies have expressed their strong opposition to a proposed change in the outdoor relief system, and various trade organizations have joined in the protests. Here are the details of their actions:

At a delegate meeting of the Congregated Trades, convened on a Wednesday night and chaired by Mr M. McInerney, President, the following trades were represented: smiths, stonecutters, masons, coopers, tailors, bakers, printers, plasterers, plumbers, painters, and cycle makers. During the meeting, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

“That we, the representatives of the Trades, earnestly appeal to the Limerick Poor Law Guardians, on behalf of the city’s poor, to refrain from implementing the proposed scheme to change the system of outdoor relief. In our opinion, such a change would contribute to the demoralization of our city and lead to a significant increase in the pauper population. This, in turn, could overwhelm the capacity of the current institution, which might not be equipped to handle the surge in demand for admissions.”

The trade organizations are raising their concerns about the potential consequences of altering the outdoor relief system, which they believe could have negative effects on the city’s welfare and social fabric.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 30 January 1906