Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister referred to a speedy decision. The Taoiseach said six months ago that a decision would be made. One thing the Government cannot be accused of is speed, especially when it comes to rewarding those on the front line. We stood in the Chamber months or years ago and gave nurses a round of applause. They are, unfortunately, back on the front line dealing with high levels of Covid.

This is the Finance Bill that exempts pandemic payments to student nurses. When will the decision be made? We are dealing with the Finance Bill for next year. Will the bonus payments be subject to tax? That is a fair question. Nurses and front-line workers across the sector deserve an answer from the Government. How long does it take the Government to understand that our front-line workers should have a recognition payment? This has been playing out in the media for six months. The Government said it will make a decision soon and swiftly and well before Christmas. We are on Report Stage of the Finance Bill. This is the place where decisions should be made. Those bonus payments should not be subject to tax.

I guessed that the Minister does not have a clue because we have heard nothing from the Government about this. The Minister, Deputy McGrath, could not tell us when the decision would be made. Will the decision be made before Christmas? If there is a bonus payment, will the Minister exempt the bonus payment from tax, as we are exempting the PPG under this amendment?

See this speech in context