Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
761. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in an organisation (details supplied) who were working in practice during the Covid-19 pandemic who at yet to receive the Covid pandemic bonus payment; when they will receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39141/22]
View answer780. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in a medical setting (details supplied) in Swords who were working in practice during the Covid-19 pandemic and are yet to receive their pandemic bonus payment; when they will receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39237/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 761 and 780 together.
Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
As the organisations the deputy refers to are private organisations, I am unable to advise on the number of staff who were working in practice at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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: 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.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
