Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1841. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if information has now been published and provided to non-HSE and non-section 38 organisation types that are covered by the Government decision on the pandemic recognition payment, regarding the process available to them in order to implement payment for their eligible staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43258/22]
View answer1842. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when eligible staff (details supplied) who are based in Dublin in a non-HSE and non-section 38 organisation covered by the Government decision will receive the pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43259/22]
View answer1843. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when eligible staff (details supplied) who are based in Dublin in a non-HSE and non-section 38 organisation covered by the Government decision will receive the pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43260/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1841 to 1843, inclusive, together.
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The HSE and the Department have been examining progressing the rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment 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. 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.
The above 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
In relation to eligible staff in cohorts 1-4 above, information will be published shortly for those employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. Once this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
With regard to eligible staff in cohorts 6 and 7, the Department of Health is engaging with the Department of Defence, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to progress payments to these cohorts as soon as possible.
