Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
633. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of public and private healthcare workers he estimates will qualify for the pandemic recognition payment, by sector and staff grade; when this payment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3407/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
It is estimated that more than 100,000 whole time equivalent employees in the public health services will be eligible for the COVID-19 recognition payment. The final number of public sector workers that shall be eligible will reflect the number of part and full time staff. For part time staff, a pro-rata arrangement shall be put in place.
My Department does not routinely collect workforce data for private nursing homes or hospices. It has been estimated that there are 36,000 work in private nursing homes and hospices, though of those, it shall only apply to those frontline healthcare workers as per the arrangement for the frontline public sector healthcare workforce.
I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended. The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
