Vol. 502 No. 3
362 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to industrial action taken by crisis counsellors in Aoibhneas Women's Refuge and the long standing nature of the issue; the failure of the Eastern Health Board to fund the agreement made by IMPACT and the management; the action, if any, he will take to ensure the matter is resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7963/99]
Aiobhneas Women's Refuge is a voluntary organisation in receipt of a contribution from the Eastern Health Board towards its costs. It is an autonomous body independent of the board in relation to its day to day operation. Its employees are not employees of the board and their pay, terms and conditions of employment are not controlled by the board. Consequently the agreement with IMPACT is a matter for the management of the refuge as the direct employer and I have no function in this matter.
