Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire agus lena gcomhghleacaithe a tháinig isteach chuig an gcoiste inniu. The Deputies have raised an interesting point. We are discussing people who are on very low wages. As an Teachta Boyd Barrett has pointed out, those who worked on the front line during the Covid pandemic provided services and took care of things when many of us were told to stay at home to protect ourselves and others from the global pandemic, and were able to do so.

There are workers who are still waiting for the pandemic bonus. Many of them were here this week and met with a number of different representatives in the audiovisual room. I had met with them previously in Galway University Hospital. They still do not have clarity on the issue. I refer, for example, to the security people who did security in our hospitals during the pandemic. They still do not have clarity around when they will get the pandemic payment. These people are on very low wages.

I agree with the two previous speakers that we need to look at the minimum wage. It is worth noting that many of these workers are still waiting on that €1,000. Obviously that payment would make a significant difference for them given their very low wages, but it is also a matter of respect for them at this point. Given that we are discussing these matters, this is also important to mention.