Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he will know, in January 2022, the Government announced a Covid-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, having received the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as it was then. The payment is not subject to income tax, USC or PRSI. The Government announcement also made provision for a pro rata application of the payment. The payment amounts to €1,000 for those eligible staff who worked at least 60% whole-time equivalent for at least four weeks during the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021 and €600 for those who worked below 60% whole-time equivalent. Those who worked less than four weeks are not within the scope of the measure.

The measure is ring-fenced to eligible staff who were ordinarily on-site in Covid-19 exposed healthcare environments during the pandemic. As it relates to Defence Forces personnel, this means members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE. I understand that work to identify all Covid-related duties undertaken by members of the Defence Forces has been completed by military management in order to identify personnel who may be eligible for this recognition payment.

It is important to note that ultimate interpretation of the scheme was a matter for the Minister for Health with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The validation and subsequent payment of the recognition payment to those members of the Defence Forces deemed eligible and therefore in line for payment have been processed by the Department of Defence based on information supplied by military management, a process which went on from October 2022 to the end of 2023. I am assured that all members of the Defence Forces deemed within scope for payment of the recognition payment have received their payments and I have been advised that there are no outstanding cases. If the Deputy knows of some outstanding cases, perhaps we can discuss them in the time ahead.

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