Covid-19 Pandemic

Wednesday, 13 July 2022

Questions (554, 555, 556, 557)

Duncan Smith

Question:

554. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses that have received the pandemic bonus payment broken down by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38594/22]

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Duncan Smith

Question:

555. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses that are yet to receive the pandemic bonus payment broken down by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38595/22]

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Duncan Smith

Question:

556. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses who worked on the Covid-19 pandemic response but have since retired that have received the pandemic bonus payment broken down by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38596/22]

View answer

Duncan Smith

Question:

557. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses who worked on the Covid-19 pandemic response but have since retired that have yet to receive the pandemic bonus payment broken down by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38597/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 to 557, inclusive, together.

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

As the deputy is aware, on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html.

Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE. As of Friday, 8 July, 68,943 eligible HSE staff have received payment around the country. This number excludes Section 38 agencies which are estimated to have paid 20,000 staff to date thereby bringing the total number of employees paid to 88,943.

All payments across the HSE and Section 38 organisations are being progressed by local management and each site will assess the eligibility of their staff before processing payment. As eligibility is still being assessed across sites locally, I cannot provide you with an estimated number of public service workers who are eligible to receive the payment but have yet to be paid.

I assure you that it is the intention of the Department to have all eligible healthcare workers paid without delay, and all possible efforts are being made to achieve this.

Question No. 555 answered with Question No. 554.

Question No. 556 answered with Question No. 554.

Question No. 557 answered with Question No. 554.

Question No. 558 answered with Question No. 477.

Question No. 559 answered with Question No. 477.