Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is no secret that we are in the midst of another wave of Covid-19.

The peak of that wave is some still distance away. It is also no secret that our hospital system is under severe strain and pressure at the moment. That is being felt by our front-line healthcare professionals, including our doctors, nurses, paramedics, healthcare assistants and everybody else involved. They have been fighting this virus for almost two years now. They are completely exhausted, burned out and flat to the mat. They are used to making life-and-death decisions about their patients but this is the first time that many of them are making life-and-death decisions about themselves. Even showing up for a shift in a hospital is exposing them to significant danger, suffering and distress.

There was a lot of talk over the summer about providing a recognition package to our front-line healthcare workers for the extra stress they are under but that talk has dissipated since. There was, for instance, mention of a small ex gratiapayment and additional leave to assist in their recovery. There was even talk of an additional bank holiday to recognise the contribution of essential workers across the country and wider society. The morale of healthcare workers is in their boots and they could do with a lift or a boost. Can the Taoiseach give this House any update on that process? When are we going to get a recognition package for our front-line healthcare workers, something other than just a round of applause?

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