Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 1

Written Answers. - Industrial Relations.

Alan Shatter

Question:

112 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the public relations, persons or firm, if any, employed by the Health Service Employers Agency to assist it in dealing with issues relating to the nurses' dispute and strike; if so, the contract entered into; the fees and outlays payable in respect of the contract and any advertising undertaken by the agency in the period prior to and during the strike; and the amount of public moneys to date spent in this context by the agency. [21922/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The Health Service Employers Agency pays an annual retainer fee of £20,000 plus VAT to Frank Dunlop & Associates Limited, consultants in public affairs and public relations. The HSEA did not incur any advertising costs in the period prior to or during the recent nurses' strike.