I am delighted to be here. I know the good work the Chairman and the members of the committee perform and I wish them continued success.
The reason for my appearance before the committee is a minor, technical issue, but it is appropriate to the 21st century. Simpson's Hospital dates back to 11 December 1778, when George Simpson bequeathed the residue of his estate, in trust, to trustees "to erect, support and maintain a hospital for the reception of such poor, decayed, blind and gouty men as they should think worthy of such a charity." The charity was established by the Simpson's Hospital Estate Act 1779 and was amended by the Simpson's Hospital Act 1861.
The trustees believe that to continue to operate in the 21st century it is necessary to update the charter. That, quite simply, is what we are doing. The trustees wish to accept female patients and to modernise the description of the patients that can be admitted. They are deleting the paragraph concerning the election of trustees to allow more flexibility in finding new board members and are deleting the sentence in the original charter that states: "the total spending for a year should not exceed £1,000". These amendments are covered in paragraph three of the draft that has been submitted.
The purpose of paragraph three of the draft is to insert "and women", wherever the word "men" appears in the original Act. I am sure some of the ladies on the committee will welcome the wording. In fact, I am sure both genders will welcome the change, not just women. A further purpose of paragraph three is to remove the need to elect trustees within three calendar months of the death or resignation of a trustee and to remove the need to publish details of election in the Dublin Gazette and other Dublin newspapers and to remove the ban on the charity being incorporated with any other charity. Also, to remove the limit of £1,000 on the purchasing power of the trustees.
The hospital has been in discussions with the Eastern Regional Health Authority to develop services for older people of both sexes. The trustees need to broaden their powers under existing statutes to allow them to borrow money on the security of the charity's property for development of services in partnership with the ERHA.
The trustees wish to delegate to the hospital matron and secretary power over staff, in keeping with their position. These amendments are covered in paragraph four of the draft submitted. The purpose of this paragraph is to give the trustees authority to borrow, using the charity's property as security, and to give the trustees authority to sell part of the charity's property and reinvest proceeds in lands and properties as well as granting leases on such properties. The trustees will be given power to delegate authority to employ, appoint and terminate the appointment of an employee.
For the information and benefit of members of the committee, this has been given serious and due consideration by all trustees, all those involved in Simpson's Hospital and all involved with the ERHA. It is on their recommendation that I and my Department bring this order before the committee today.
