Gay Mitchell
Question:134 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if payments are due to a former Sweepstakes worker (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15967/99]
Written Answers. - Sweepstakes Moneys.
The Hospital's Trust (1940) Limited was a private company which went into voluntary liquidation in 1987. In 1988 the Government decided that the unclaimed prize money of Sweepstakes promoted by Hospital's Trust (1940) Limited should be used to benefit former employees. In December 1990 the Public Hospitals (Amendment) Act 1990 enabled the then Minister for Health to take over approximately £481,000 in unclaimed Sweepstake prize money, together with accrued interest, for distribution to former employees of the company.
The money was distributed to the two categories of former employees of the Hospital's Trust (1940) Limited generally regarded as being the most seriously disadvantaged when the company ceased trading. The two groups were former employees still living who opted for early retirement in 1978 or later and from whom an ex gratia element of pension entitlement was withdrawn in 1987 and former employees still living who were made redundant when the company was placed in voluntary liquidation in 1987. Spouses of deceased persons belonging to either of the above categories were eligible to receive the amount which the deceased person would have been qualified to receive. Persons in the first category received a flat rate payment of £1,000. The balance of moneys available after category one payments were finalised was distributed among persons in category two on the age and service weighted basis used to calculate statutory redundancy payments. The money was distributed in 1990 and 1991 to 282 persons on receipt of valid application forms.
The person referred to by the Deputy received an interim payment of £1,000 in January 1991 and a balance payment of £2,879.65 in March 1991, a total of £3,879.65. I would also like to inform the Deputy that these payments were made on a once-off basis as part of a special arrangement and as Minister for Health and Children I have no ongoing responsibility for former employees of Hospital's Trust (1940) Limited.