Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I raise the important issue of the volunteers who have been working so hard in mass vaccination centres and Covid testing facilities all over the country. These are very fine people who, last March, signed up for what they thought was going to be a couple of months, but a couple of months has turned into a couple of years. Has thought been given to how the State will recognise the significant contribution these people have made during this time of national crisis? For instance, could a very small honorarium be considered so that they are not out of pocket? Alternatively, a framed certificate signed by the President could be provided to each of the volunteers or a reception could be arranged in Áras an Uachtaráin or in Leinster House for the volunteers and their families to mark their significant contribution. I know it means a lot to them because they are very special people. Many people talk about volunteering but these people have actually done it.

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