Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is welcome that a decision has finally been made on a pandemic bonus for healthcare workers. This is something we called for in May 2020. I want to give the Taoiseach an opportunity to outline exactly what it will involve and who will qualify for it. There seems to be quite a bit of confusion out there. For instance, will community home help workers, family carers and those who work in pharmacies qualify? Broadly speaking, we all agree that they should. I ask the Taoiseach to clarify that. The Tánaiste previously suggested on numerous occasions that people in the wider civil and public service, like those in the Department of Social Protection, should also benefit. Is that suggestion off the table? Is the Taoiseach ruling out providing anything to transport workers, postal workers, gardaí, members of the Defence Forces, etc.? Will the Taoiseach urge the private sector to come along the road with the Government and do something similar for its workers as well, particularly for those in retail?

See this speech in context