Robert Troy
Question:1629. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason that staff in dental practices have not yet been eligible for the HSE Covid bonus payment; and if he has plans to rectify this matter. [1900/23]
View answerWednesday, 18 January 2023
Questions (1629)
Written answers
Last year, the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia 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 last 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. Certain specific other cohorts are covered for the payment, as detailed below:
1. Private Sector/Independent Nursing Homes and Hospices
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. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The cohorts listed above are the only ones in scope for this payment, and there are no plans to expand the list of included cohorts, which was prepared on foot of careful consideration by the Government. I am mindful of other workers who played an important role during this challenging period in sustaining important services. It was very difficult to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which eligible healthcare workers faced.
While undoubtedly immense efforts have been made by other healthcare staff, other sectors and by the general public since the onset of this pandemic, it is right that the Government pursue this course to recognise those at greatest risk in the performance of their duties.
Settings which were not unavoidably-COVID-19-exposed environments are not considered to be covered by the Government decision. For certain settings, service users with COVID-19, COVID-like symptoms, close contact, and/or foreign travel history could be advised not to attend. Service users in such settings may have been advised to postpone or to phone/consult online instead in some instances. In light of the potential to advise some service users not to attend, these types of environment are considered to have been much more controllable to prevent COVID-19 exposure, compared to eligible environments (such as nursing homes, acute hospital wards, etc).
The Government notes that some private sector healthcare employers have already recognised their frontline workers for their extraordinary efforts during the pandemic. I would encourage those other private sector healthcare employers who have not done so to adopt appropriate measures to recognise their employees.
In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February this year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.