Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right that many things need to be considered. While some countries have already paid a recognition bonus to staff, they have done it on a very narrow basis. For example, it has often been limited to healthcare workers only. The Deputy and I agree that we need to do something broader than that. That also must be borne in mind. I cannot give exact timelines. This does not need to be a budget-day decision, but it might be. This is something that is being led by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I know that the Minister wants to engage with the unions and the Labour Employer Economic Forum, wants to talk to the party leaders about it and wants to be able to come up with a proposal that the Government can then endorse.

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