Former Irish Sweepstake workers who were made redundant without pay in 1987 will soon receive a letter detailing their entitlement to £20,000 compensation. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is writing to approximately 150 people who are entitled to this payment. The families of between 30 and 40 people who have died since 1987 will receive the money.
"As well as writing to the former workers, we will be placing advertisements in newspapers to let people know," a spokeswoman for the Department said.
The Irish Hospital Sweepstakes was one of the world's most successful lotteries, but came under pressure when more generous Canadian and US lotteries were introduced. When it closed, the mainly female workers were left with pensions of £2-£3 per week.