Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that when we are trying to make a payment, which is a €1,000 tax-free payment that does make a difference to people, there is no amount that could fully recognise the work that people have done. However, it is a recognition and it is good by international standards, compared to what other European countries have done. There is no doubt that there are going to be workers who do not meet the criteria as set out, but who deserve it. There is no doubt that there will be people who have actively helped patients and who, on an individual basis, we would say deserve the payment and if one group has got it, then this group deserves it as well. It would not be possible to design criteria to identify every worthy person. For example, many of the workers in general practice have a strong case, yet they were not included. The final thing I would say, and it is easy for me to say this, is that there is nothing preventing any employer from making a payment to their staff in recognition of the work they have done.

See this speech in context