Chasing Sleep

The Great Famine brought through a series of changes in what we're known as Ireland's Poor Laws. Outdoor relief could only be granted to the able-bodied if the workhouse was full or a sight of infection. Anyone occupying more than one quarter of an acre of land, however, was excluded from receiving relief. The effect of this provision, when combined with falling rent rolls and the liability of landlords to pay poor rates on holdings with less than four pounds per annum, was to encourage landlords to evict their smallest tenants. So, one of the things they do is they make an advantageous financially to evict people for the landlords because it makes for a better tax situation Because then you don't