The Bill to pay up to £3 million in compensation to former Irish Hospital Sweepstakes employees for the loss of their jobs is to be published next week.
The Opposition parties have agreed to facilitate the passing of the measure before the summer recess, as two-thirds of the 145 people affected are pensioners.
The Bill, which is being brought forward by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, is to allow payment of a long-standing Labour Court award. The award was originally made in 1987 and was to be funded from the sale of the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes premises in Ballsbridge, Dublin.
However, this was not possible after half of the £1.7 million paid for the site by the State was clawed back in capital gains tax. Employers were only paid between £2,000 and £4,000 each. The site was later sold on for private development at £6.6 million.
The Bill provides for an average of £20,000 to former employees, some of whom had up to 50 years' service. It also provides for children or spouses to benefit from the award.