Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2022
393. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health his engagement with an organisation (details supplied) on its request to expand the Covid recognition payment scheme to include homeless services workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17196/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period. The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily on site in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. This payment will be made to those eligible public sector front-line healthcare staff (inclusive of agency staff working for the HSE) who worked in clinical settings, noting this list is not exhaustive: those Doctors / Nurses / Health Care Assistants / Porters / Cleaners etc. that work in clinical settings. The measure encompasses Health Care Support Assistants (also known as Home Carers / Home Help) employed by or carrying out duties contracted to the HSE. The measure further extends to those equivalent healthcare workers in private nursing homes and hospices. Arrangements for this sector encompassed by this measure are currently being progressed by the Department of Health. The announcement covers eligible front-line healthcare workers only. I am also mindful of the many, many other workers throughout the country who played their own part during this difficult period. It is difficult to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which front-line healthcare workers faced. Upon 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 the details will be finalised once this consultation has concluded, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
