asked the Minister for Health the reason he has rejected an application from an organisation (details supplied) for an increased grant to meet the decision of the Labour Court to grant increases of higher salaries to staff employed by the organisation; if he is aware that a similar application by the organisation to the EHB has also been rejected on the grounds that the board did not receive any additional funding from his Department to meet such increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Application for Grant Increase.
55.
The organisation referred to by the Deputy is a voluntary organisation which in addition to normal found raising activities, receives grants from health boards towards the salaries of its social worker staff in their areas. The amount of the grant payable to the council is a matter for individual health boards. No application for a grant has, therefore, been received in my Department from the organisation in question.
The application by the council to the Eastern Health Board for an increased grant is at present under consideration by the board in the light of the resources available to it. The board hopes to be in a position to make a decision on the application in the near future.