Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
372. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a timeframe for the roll-out of the pandemic special recognition payment to Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics; the reason for the lengthy delay that the paramedics have been forced to endure to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54489/22]
View answer388. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 29 September 2022, when a direction will be issued to local authorities authorising the payment of the Covid-19 recognition payment to fire brigade personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54804/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 388 together.
On 19 January 2022, the Government announced a Covid-19 recognition payment for front-line healthcare workers to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. This once-off payment is ring fenced to staff who were ordinarily onsite in Covid-19-exposed healthcare environments within the period from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2021. It applies to eligible staff in the public health service and six other specific cohorts, one of which is staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver paramedic services on behalf of the Health Service Executive.
My Department, in conjunction with the Local Government Management Agency, have been liaising with the Department of Health to finalise the modalities of how this recognition payment was to be made to eligible Dublin Fire Brigade staff.
I understand that the Department of Health has now transferred funds directly to Dublin City Council for payment. The disbursement of this funding is a matter for that local authority, according to local payroll time frames.
