Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not have an issue with amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive. This is about ensuring that students are exempt from tax in terms of the PPG. This measure is directed at student nurses.

Where is the front-line workers' bonus? Where is a bonus for all of the other nurses? The Taoiseach committed in June of this year to bring forward a bonus without delay. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, said that had to be done well before Christmas. We are now only a couple of weeks away from Christmas. The Tánaiste said a recognition bonus for front-line workers needs to be rolled out. In the context of the Finance Bill, while we are exempting the PPG for student nurses, will there be a bonus for front-line workers or has the Government decided to forget about that? Will it be taxable? Will the Minister bring forward an amendment to the Finance Bill to make sure that such bonuses are not subject to tax?

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