Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for the comprehensive reply. I welcome the fact this payment is being made. I reiterate that section 38 service providers, like Ability West, should have their front-line workers included. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, said that this payment will be for everyone who was on site, involved, and had to be around patients. The Tánaiste, Deputy Varadkar, said that healthcare staff wearing gowns and masks, who were exposed in Covid-19 in clinical settings, should receive special recognition. Organisations such as Ability West fit all of these categories. It is a section 38 company, which provides a significant service right across the region of Galway and the west of Ireland. I plead with the Taoiseach to make sure that its front-line workers are included so that we do not have division.

I welcome the fact a public holiday has been created this year as a once-off, with a public holiday in commemoration thereafter. All of these things are noble and to be welcomed. We are making a bonus payment and we should make sure that we do not leave a sour taste in anybody's mouth when it is all over. Those who are entitled to it should receive it. In the spirit of being generous and everyone being in it together, that should be done.

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