Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 March 2022
205. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if section 39 and section 10 front-line homeless network staff who continue to operate Covid-19 specific infection prevention and control measures in congregated, clinical and healthcare settings will receive the Covid-19 recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15422/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
To recognise their unique role during the pandemic, the Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. Those public sector front-line healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices (eg: nursing homes and hospices that are private, public, section 39, voluntary etc.) that were affected by Covid-19. The measure also encompasses those eligible working on site in long term residential care facilities for people with disabilities (inclusive of those facilities whether HSE or section 39). Arrangements for this sector encompassed by this measure are currently being progressed by the Department of Health and HSE.
I am also mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining services other than healthcare. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which front-line healthcare workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
