Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
567. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the tender for a third-party contractor to assist with the pandemic recognition payment process is complete; if a contract has been signed; the further timeframe that is expected for payments to eligible healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47901/22]
View answerFirstly, 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.
In relation to eligible staff in cohorts 1-4 above, in order to progress the payment of the Pandemic Recognition Payment, the HSE has published an invitation to tender for a third-party contractor to assist with the payment process.
The Department is aware that the deadline for the HSE's tender process on this matter was extended to 23 September. It is expected that once a contract is in place and details of payment processes are finalised, information will be published for those certain eligible 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. Once this is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
