Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I would be open to considering that. It is not something that has been considered. This issue has largely come up today as part of a good and well-worked campaign. I was asked about it early this morning for the first time and it is something I am happy to consider. As it happens, if it is €100 and we have approximately 30,000 nurses, that would be a cost of approximately €3 million. The Supplementary Estimates we are considering do not include €3 million for that.

Nurses have done an extraordinary job and more so than ever this year. It has been incredible. When the rest of us were staying at home, particularly during the first wave, they were going to work every day and keeping people safe. I would be very well-disposed to doing something to try to recognise that. I cannot give a commitment because it is additional spending and it requires a Government decision but I will be looking at it closely.