asked the Minister for Health if he is prepared to restore the subsidy towards the payment to C.I.E. by the Dublin Health Authority which enabled the staff of Saint Ita's Hospital, Portrane, to travel without charge to and from the hospital and Donabate Railway Station; or, alternatively, if he proposes to instruct the Authority to provide other suitable travel facilities or else provide cash payments in lieu.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane: Staff Travel Facilities
47.
In June, 1960, there was submitted for my sanction a proposal by the Dublin Health Authority to pay C.I.E. a subsidy of £1,000 per annum in respect of the provision by C.I.E. of free transport between St. Ita's Hospital and Donabate Railway Station for, mainly, mental hospital staff and the wives of such staff.
After the most careful examination, I told the Dublin Health Authority that I was not satisfied that there was any statutory authority for the proposed payment. In view, however, of the fact that certain staff (and wives in some cases) had enjoyed the privilege of free transport, I intimated that I would be prepared to consider a proposal to make an ex gratia payment to those who had been enjoying the privilege, in compensation for the loss of the privilege previously enjoyed by them.
Discussions on this basis then took place between the Health Authority and representatives of the staff but the Authority's offer was rejected. I am still prepared to consider any reasonable proposal on this matter.
Is the Minister prepared to approach the responsible authority to extend the ex gratia payment which he has advocated?
I am not prepared to urge any health authority to incur expenditure which I do not think would be fully justified on the merits of the case.
The Minister has advocated ex gratia payments. Will he see that they get them?
An ex gratia payment by way of compensation to those who have enjoyed this privilege for which, in fact, there was no statutory authority.