Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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216. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider allowing private healthcare operators including pharmacies to make a tax-free payment to staff on a once-off basis without the payment being subject to PAYE, PRSI and USC (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12571/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are many thousands of people across the country who went above and beyond over the course of the last two years. The continued contribution of so many people in all walks of life has been essential to getting us through this difficult time. Collaboration and solidarity have been the hallmark of our national approach to COVID-19 and the measures announced on 19 January are true to those principles.

After careful consideration, the Government made the decision to give all the people of Ireland a national day of recognition and commemoration on the 18^thof March this year, and another permanent public holiday in February commencing in 2023.

The Government took many factors into consideration when coming to a decision in relation to any additional recognition measure for specific sectors.  It ultimately agreed that contribution of every sector is to be acknowledged through the introduction of a new public holiday.At the same time it decided that it was appropriate to acknowledge certain frontline healthcare workers in the public sector and in private nursing homes and hospices in particular through a special recognition payment. 

This is a balanced package of measures that will benefit all workers across the economy, while also recognising in particular the risks faced by certain frontline healthcare workers during this pandemic.

The Department of Health is working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply. This will be published as soon as possible. This work underway is to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended.

Issues surrounding taxation are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance and any

questions regarding the tax treatment of payments made by private sector employers to employees should be directed to him.