Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I am familiar with the issue. The payment was extended on a number of occasions previously. I will talk to the Minister for Health in respect of this. I will have to check if it would be possible to do a separate ring-fenced occupational scheme. However, I doubt it because doing so would open up precedents for a range of other schemes. These workers put themselves on the line for the country and its people during a very trying time. I have always advocated on their behalf regarding maintaining the existing payment as long as we possibly can. I will talk the Minister for Health in that regard.

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