Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm than work is underway in my Department to develop a compensation scheme for the families of frontline healthcare workers who have died due to COVID-19 that was contracted in the workplace.

When the proposals in respect of the scheme have been progressed to an appropriate stage I will be bringing them to cabinet for discussion. Details of the scheme will be made available once it has been approved by Government.

I am not in a position to provide detailed information in respect of the scheme at this time, however I do wish to confirm it is my intention that the scheme will include everybody who is a front-line worker in the health services, i.e. those who provide direct care as well as those who provide other services through their work in health or care settings where the virus is present, both public and private.

Other features of the scheme as proposed are that it will:

- provide for a lump sum payment,

- apply retrospectively, and

- be in addition to any other death in service benefits that may already be in place.