Tánaiste Follows Up on Promise to Make Payments to Former Irish Hospital Sweepstakes Workers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney, today (Thursday 29th June, 2000) guided legislation through the Dáil which will enable the making of ex-gratia payments to the former workers of the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes (IHS).

The Tánaiste, who met with a number of the former employees of IHS in the Dail today, said she was "delighted to be responsible for closing the final chapter on this long running issue". She said "it was a long awaited day for all the former employees of IHS and their representatives who have over the last 13 years vigorously pursued this matter".

The Tánaiste has long been on the record as saying that she believed that these employees, many of them elderly. have suffered a grave injustice since the closure of IHS in 1987. She said she was personally very happy to see this situation being finally put right. She added that "the passage of this Bill today shows that politics can work for ordinary people. Their voice can be heard. Their grievances can be listened to and be addressed".

The Bill passed all stages in the Dáil today and was welcomed by all sides of the House. It is expected to pass all stages in the Senate tomorrow (Friday 30th June, 2000).

Under the Scheme, a lump sum of £20,000 each will be paid to the former workers and in the case of deceased persons their Personal Representatives.

When the legislation is enacted, applications will be invited from employees of the Hospitals’ Trust (1940) Limited who were employed by the company at the time it ceased operations in 1987. It is intended that those wishing to make application will have to do so within two months of the date on which the legislation comes into operation. However, late applications will be considered.

"What I want to achieve is a quick mechanism to address the shabby treatment of those former employees who were made redundant when the Sweepstakes closed in 1987. I am determined to ensure that that there will be no delay in making the payments", concluded the Tánaiste.