Vol. 495 No. 2
150 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason his Department has failed to pass on the grant to the Mid-Western Health Board to enable it to grant aid Rathfredagh Cheshire Home, Newcastle West, County Limerick, to enable the payment to staff of the second phase of an agreement entered into by the staff and the Mid-Western Health Board to introduce payment of premia at the minimum rate at some time in 1998. [19752/98]
The negotiation of pay and conditions of services for the staff of a voluntary agency, such as Rathfredagh Cheshire Home, is solely a matter for the agency, as employer.
However, Rathfredagh Cheshire Home does receive a grant under section 65 of the Health Act, 1953 from the Mid-Western Health Board to help cover its running expenses. This grant was increased by £50,000 in 1997 and a further £12,000 in 1998. Further increases to the grant in 1999 will be considered by the board in the light of available resources and competing demands.
