Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
502. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if all workers entitled to the pandemic bonus payment have been paid the bonus; if any workers have not yet been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5122/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their continuous efforts during the Covid 19 Pandemic.
In January 2022 the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic.
Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation. I can confirm that in order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:
• Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
• Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
• Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
• Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
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;
Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
To date, over 143,741 eligible frontline HSE and Section 38 healthcare workers have been paid. Appeals outcomes have also now been completed by a joint HSE management/union committee. The HSE advise that over 3,500 appeals were lodged. As such, payment of the Pandemic Recognition Payment amongst HSE and Section 38 staff is now complete.
In relation to the non-public sector cohorts, which includes Section 39 organisations, the HSE and the external contractor KOSI Corporation are rolling out payments to those eligible for payment. As of the 24th of January 2024, funding has been issued to 767 non-public sector organisations, covering payments for 79,562 staff. Payments to these specific, eligible groups is now nearing completion.
Funding was transferred to D/Defence (€1.265m) and Dublin City Council (€0.84m) to cover cohorts 5 & 6 above on 1/11/22. Payment of these staff is a matter for those bodies but is also understood to be substantially complete.
If there is any staff who meet the outlined criteria above and have yet to receive their payment, they would need to contact their local HR. The Department of Health is unable to comment on individual cases.
