asked the Minister for Health the intentions he has with regard to the State owned Hospital Joint Services Board.
31.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Joint Services Board.
67.
asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the Hospital Joint Services Board; in particular, if he has any plans to sell it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Priority Question No. 67 and Question No. 31 together.
It is my objective to maintain and, if possible, expand the laundry and sterile services currently provided by the Hospital Joint Services Board (HJSB) in order to realise its full potential and put the operations of the board on a firm financial footing.
Considerable efforts have been made over the year to put the operations of the board on a financially viable basis, but despite these efforts the board continued to have financial problems and the majority of hospitals remain dissatisfied with its service. In the light of the HJSB's financial difficulties and the dissatisfaction of many hospitals it is my view that the board should consider examining the possibility of attracting genuine interested parties in order to maintain and develop the activities of the board as a going concern. The board have been informed to this effect.
I can assure the Deputies that this or any other proposal affecting the future of the HJSB will include as major considerations the present level of staff and services of the board. Officers from my Department have recently met with representatives of the Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) to clarify and discuss the implications of this proposal for their members. I understand that it has been agreed that a further meeting will take place to discuss the ICTU's proposals regarding the future of the Hospital Joint Services Board before the end of this month.
Finally, I wish to state that it is my intention to explore the possibility of attracting badly needed investment from genuine interested parties, under the most favourable terms, to maintain and develop the operations of the board as a going concern.
Could the Minister assure the House that no final decisions will be made until the package which has been promised by the trade union movement is before the Minister? Will he also elaborate on how he proposes to deal with the £2.5 million debt which the board has at present? Have there been any offers for the acquisition of the board for private individuals.
I can assure the Deputy that no final decision will be made on the future of the Hospital Joint Services Board until the Congress of Trade Unions' proposals are before me. As the Deputy has rightly pointed out, there is a large debt on the HJSB which is a matter of concern. Obviously, this is something we will be considering in whatever negotiations are carried out in regard to the future of the board.
Has the Minister or his Department entered into any negotiations with a private enterprise or an individual in relation to the acquisition of the board?
Yes, I should say that we advertised for tenders for the Hospital Joint Services Board but, as I have already told the Deputy, no decision will be made on the future of the board until we receive the proposals from the ICTU.
The Minister has not answered the question on whether negotiations have taken place with individuals or companies. He just said it was advertised. Have any negotiations taken place with any individual to date?
As far as I am aware discussions have taken place with individuals. I am not aware of the extent of those discussions.
The Connacht Laundry group.
I do not know whether they are included or not.
An excellent group.