Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I went into my local pharmacy last weekend and I again praised the staff for the great work they had done during Covid. The owner of the pharmacy was angry. She told me that the pharmacy was on the front line during Covid while doctors closed their doors and answered phone calls, which they were well paid for. Pharmacists got nothing, not even to cover the cost of printing all the country's prescriptions. They even made home deliveries to elderly people and they kept the show on the road. Her staff were not considered healthcare workers so they did not receive the €1,000 recognition payment. They do not feel valued. Given the amazing work pharmacies did during the Covid pandemic, will the Government consider giving them the €1,000 payment? I think it is worth doing that.

See this speech in context