Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871

71 Where lunacy temporary, Lord Chancellor may apply cash arising from income for temporary maintenance, without grant, &c.

Where it appears to the Lord Chancellor intrusted as aforesaid that there is reason to believe that the unsoundness of mind of any lunatic so found by inquisition is in its nature temporary, and will probably be soon removed, and that it is expedient that temporary provision should be made for the maintenance of the lunatic, or of the lunatic and the members of his immediate family who are dependent upon him for maintenance ; and that any sum of money arising from or being in the nature of income or of ready money, belonging to the lunatic, and standing to his account with a banker or agent, or being in the hands of any person for his use, is readily available, and may be safely and properly applied in that behalf, the Lord Chancellor intrusted as aforesaid may allow thereout such amount as he may think proper for the temporary maintenance of the lunatic, or of the lunatic and the members of his immediate family who are dependent upon him for maintenance, and may, instead of proceeding to appoint a committee of his estate or receiver, order or give liberty for the payment of any such sum of money as aforesaid, or any part thereof, to such person as he may, under the circumstances of the case, think proper to intrust with the application thereof, and may direct the same to be paid to such person accordingly, and when received, to be applied, and the same shall accordingly be applied in or towards such temporary maintenance as aforesaid; and the receipts in writing of the person named in the order to whom payment is to be made for any moneys payable to him by virtue thereof shall effectually discharge the banker, agent, or other person paying the same from the moneys therein respectively expressed to be received, and they respectively are hereby directed to act upon and obey every such order; and the person so receiving any moneys by virtue of this present provision shall pass an account thereof before the master, when required.