Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Redundancy Payments.

Noel Ahern

Question:

116 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position in relation to a claim from ex-employees of the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes who were made redundant in 1987; if she will implement the Labour Court recommendation on the matter; the reason these employees have been treated in this manner; the cost to implement the recommendation; the proceeds accrued to the State as a result of the closure of the company from the sale of the site, capital gains tax and insurance; and if she will resolve this issue and make a reasonable offer to those involved. [15257/98]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

My Department has no outstanding responsibility in relation to the matters raised in the Deputy's question. In recognition of the importance of the issue involved, however, and of my own commitment, and the Government's commitment to resolving this matter, I will endeavour to answer the Deputy as best I can.

The State no longer has any legal obligations to the pensioners of the Irish Hospital Sweep stakes in respect of their redundancy. It is recog nised, however, that this group of people has made an enormous contribution to the com munity over the years and that their efforts helped this country to develop a modern public hospital service. The majority of the employees who were made redundant in 1987 are single women, many of whom are in straitened financial circumstances. A representative of the former employees, Mr. John Slevin, has been in continu ing contact with my office in recent months and I have been fully briefed on the matters involved.

In consultation with my Government col leagues, I am currently examining the situation of the former Sweepstakes employees bearing in mind the need to protect the interests of the Exchequer.