Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government recognises the efforts of people throughout society in respect of Covid-19. Originally, in the earlier phase of Covid, when we spoke about the front line, it was very evident in terms of intensive care and the consistent pressure workers in hospitals were under in respect of Covid-19. There are different mechanisms and contractual arrangements with different sectors. For example, there has been ongoing extensive engagement between the HSE and GP practices on a range of programmes where supports and agreements have been arrived at. There is a combination of approaches in terms of the bank holiday to try to recognise more generally people's contribution and to remember all those who lost their lives as a result of Covid, and to try to provide a recognition programme that is balanced and does its best to meet the needs of those who have done so much.

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