Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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73. To ask the Minister for Health if the good work that staff in settings caring for children have undertaken throughout the pandemic will be acknowledged (details supplied); and if they will be included in the €1,000 recognition payment. [5718/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this important question about workers, including those who work in childcare, who supported the national effort over the past two years to meet the challenges of COVID-19.

In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.

Also, noting the unique additional challenges and risks in the health sector during this period, the Government announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers. Importantly and distinctly from other workers, those eligible are, in general, frontline public sector healthcare workers who are directly employed and worked or trained in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments / clinical settings.

The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.

I note that the Deputy has asked about two particular organisations - my Department is working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply.

I am mindful of other workers outside of frontline healthcare who played their own important part during this difficult period but did not work in such exposed areas. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the specific additional risks which these frontline healthcare workers faced.