Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The special leave with pay scheme for healthcare workers was, as the Deputy rightly says, due to end at the end of June. My understanding is the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is working with the Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to address the issue before the end of next week and we would like to see that extended. On the fact that only a third of healthcare workers have been paid the bonus due to them on foot of a Government decision in recognition of the work they did through Covid in very difficult times, I certainly am disappointed with the slow rate of payment. One third of workers being paid so far is not acceptable, frankly. The HSE needs to speed up and prioritise the payment to those healthcare workers, who deserve that payment. I call on the HSE to prioritise this and do everything it possibly can to ensure those payments are made to workers who deserve them without any further delay.

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