Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2022
21. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to alter the proposed scheme of the Covid-19 bonus payment for healthcare workers in view of the opposition to the scheme expressed by healthcare workers and their trade union representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16981/22]
View answerI thank the Deputy for raising this important question about frontline healthcare workers, who were crucial to the national effort over the past two years to meet the challenges of COVID-19.
The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for eligible frontline public sector healthcare workers, and equivalent healthcare workers in private nursing homes and hospices. This is to recognise their unique efforts and increased risk in performing their duties during the pandemic. Importantly and distinctly from other workers, those eligible are, in general, frontline healthcare workers who worked or trained in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments/clinical settings.
My officials are working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure, including eligibility criteria that apply.
Additionally, my Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions on this matter. This consultation is part of our objective to finalise the application of this measure fairly. After conclusion of consultations with the trade unions, full details of the application process, FAQs and other particulars shall be published by the HSE.
Noting that this consultation has not yet concluded, it would be inappropriate to comment further on it at this point.
