Speedy Response to Government Decision to Make Payment to Former Irish Hospital Sweepstakes Workers

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, today (Thursday 18th June 2000) published the Hospitals’ Trust (1940) Limited (Payments to Former Employees) Bill, 2000.

The publication of this Bill follows the Government decision of the 30th May, which approved the Tánaiste’s proposals for the introduction of a mechanism, which would facilitate the making of ex-gratia payments to the former employees of Irish Hospital Sweepstake (IHS) who were still with the company when it closed in 1987.

The Tánaiste said “the publication of this Bill is a further step to ending a 13 year wait by former workers of IHS. I know that many of these former employees and their representatives have pursued this issue since 1987 and I am delighted to be in a position to bring this Bill before the Dail.”

The Bill provides for the payment of £20,000 to the 149 former employees. In the case of deceased former employees payments will be made to “personal representatives” i.e. Executors or Administrators.

The Tánaiste said that the legislation would be enacted before the summer recess