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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 1989

Vol. 393 No. 1

Written Answers. - Irish Hospitals Trust Limited.

231.

asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused to former employees of the Irish Hospitals Trust Limited and their dependents as a result of the continuing refusal to respond to their claim for compensation arising out of the sale of the site which realised approximately £6 million; if he will clarify the present position in relation to this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As Hospitals Trust (1940) Limited is a private company, responsibility for making any payment to former employees rests solely with the company. Consequently it is not open to the Government to divert for that purpose any Exchequer funds, including the funds accruing from the sale of the Ballsbridge premises which had been leased on a tenancy basis to the company.

I am, however, anxious to improve the position of the former sweepstakes workers in any way that is open to me. I have, therefore, already announced that I am having legislation prepared to enable the unclaimed prize money from the sweepstakes, and the accrued interest, to be used for their benefit. A preliminary draft has just been completed by the parliamentary draftsman and I will bring legislation before the Oireachtas as soon as possible.

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