Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1862. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if payment of the pandemic bonus payment is available to a home help healthcare support assistant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43295/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
While my Department cannot comment on individual cases, I can advise that 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:
- Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
- Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
- Agency roles working in the HSE;
- Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
- Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
- 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.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/non-Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff.
I would like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
