Comparison between Minutes 1845 and 1882

Letters and Orders from the Poor Law Commissioners in the 1845 Minutes became those of the Local Government Board of Ireland in the Minutes of 1882. In accordance with the Acts 35 & 36 Victoria, C.69 the Poor Law Commissioners merged with the Local Government Board. Like its predecessor the Local Government Board for Ireland supervised the operation of the Local Poor Law Board of Guardians.

The Medical Charities Act of 1851, 14 & 15 Victoria C.68 required the Guardians of each Union to divide the Union into dispensary districts. They were also enabled to appoint a Dispensary Committee, who were responsible for the management of the dispensaries. Consequently, in the 1882 Minutes, there are sections dealing with the expenses and administrative matters in the context of Dispensary Districts.

Proceedings of the Board of Guardians as the Sanitary Authority under the Act 41 & 42 Victoria C.52 - the Public Health Ireland Act 18789 can be found in the 1882 Minutes. These include Reports from the Sanitary Office of each Dispensary District and a Report on Expenses incurred under the Act.

The Minutes of 1882 allocated a line at the conclusion of the Minutes for the Clerk of the Union but not for the Chairman. The latter signed the Minutes also however. Earlier in 1845, no space was allocated for either officer but the Chairman signed at the conclusion of the Minutes.