Vol. 376 No. 5
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the ruling by the Labour Court, in connection with Irish Hospital Sweepstakes' employees allowing two weeks wages in lieu of each year's employment; the action, if any, he intends taking in the matter to have this recommendation implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
193.
asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to introduce legislation to allow the funds held by the Irish Sweepstakes in their unclaimed prizes fund to be used to implement the Labour Court recommendation for former employees of the Irish Hospital Sweepstake.
I propose, with your permission a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together.
The Public Hospitals Act, 1933, and subsequent amending Acts provided power to enable funds to be raised by means of sweepstakes and drawing of prizes for the benefit of certain health institutions. The company actually operating the sweepstakes was Hospitals Trust (1940) Limited, a private company. This company went into voluntary liquidation in March 1987.
I am aware of the Labour Court ruling referred to but as Hospitals Trust (1940) Limited is a private company I have no function in the matter and there is no action I can take to secure implementation of the Labour Court recommendation.
Over the years, for one reason or another, a number of sweepstake prizes were not claimed. The sweepstakes trustees therefore continue to hold some moneys on behalf of unclaimed prizes.
I am considering the position regarding the disposal of these funds. Present indications are that amending legislation would be required to secure their disposal. It is unlikely that any such funds could be diverted to augment redundancy payments for former employees of Hospital Trust (1940) Limited.
