Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

12. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on plans for a pandemic bonus for front-line public sector workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2541/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government acknowledges the contribution of our frontline healthcare workers and all workers across the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have faced difficult challenges and have risen to the task.

As a Government, we have, on many occasions, stated our commitment to recognise these efforts. There were a number of issues which needed to be taken in to consideration before we could finalise our proposals, and the pandemic has remained an ongoing challenge for us all, requiring our full focus and attention.

We have given detailed consideration to these matters and yesterday the Cabinet approved a package of measures to recognise these efforts and to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working together has been a key element of the Government’s approach to the pandemic to date, and this is reflected in the approach announced yesterday. In particular, the value of the contribution of our healthcare workers on the front line cannot be overstated.

The measures we will introduce are:

- A Public Holiday which will be held on 18^thMarch 2022 in recognition of the efforts of the general public and Ireland’s frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

- A new annual public holiday from 2023 in celebration of Imbolc/St. Brigid’s day, which will be the first Monday in every February;

- A tax free recognition payment of €1,000 for:

- Public service health and ambulance workers who were working onsite in Covid-19 exposed environments;

- Those seconded or assigned to the HSE (for example our Defence Forces staff who were assigned to HSE testing centres);

- Students who were required to perform training in clinical sites; and

- Staff working onsite in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.

In deciding on these measures, and to whom the payment would apply, the Government carefully considered a number of matters, including the consideration that we have a national pay agreement in place for the public service – with associated pay increases of up to 3% over the period January 2021 to December 2022.

I would like to thank both Unions and Employer representatives for the leadership they have shown throughout the pandemic and for their engagement on this matter. They have played a key role in the collective national effort that has been undertaken and is ongoing.

The effort of employees, their representatives and employers has been hugely important in our national response to covid. The public holiday which we have announced is in recognition of their tremendous efforts. In particular we all know that the health services have borne the brunt of this pandemic, and I believe that it is right to knowledge this.