Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have been told time and again that payments were imminent. This is beyond frustrating. For a contract security guard working in a hospital, for example, it could amount to almost two weeks' wages. We are only too well aware of the cost-of-living pressures being experienced, especially by those on low pay.

This has been a frustrating process from start to finish. It has been about two years since my colleague, Deputy Kelly, first called for a pandemic recognition payment to be paid to those who protected and helped us through this pandemic. These are the people we applauded in our homes during lockdown and the people who had no option other than to go to work during the height of the pandemic. They put themselves in harm's way and far too many people are still waiting for that modest €1,000 payment in recognition of the services and supports they provided to us all across this country. It is welcome that progress is being made but the Minister would agree that the process has been far from perfect and satisfactory. It was a year ago that the Minister announced that this payment would be made.

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