Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
240. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider allowing private healthcare operators including pharmacies to make a tax-free payment to staff on a once-off basis without the payment being subject to PAYE, PRSI and USC (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14148/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to give a recognition payment of €1,000, for eligible frontline health and ambulance workers. An equivalent payment will be provided for relevant staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19. Policy in relation to the payment is, in the first instance, a matter for the Minister for Health. However, as the Deputy may be aware, section three of the Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 provides that the payment would not be subject to income tax, USC or PRSI.
I have no plans at present to provide for the Deputy's proposal.
