Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1083. To ask the Minister for Health if a decision has been made to include homeless and social care workers in the Covid recognition scheme as they are now included in the death-in-service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15009/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. This payment will be made to those eligible public sector frontline healthcare staff (inclusive of agency staff working for the HSE) who worked in clinical settings (e.g. – and noting this list is not exhaustive: those Doctors / Nurses / Health Care Assistants / Porters / Cleaners etc. that work in clinical settings.) The Department of Health will also introduce a similar measure for frontline staff in all nursing homes and hospices (whether public, private, voluntary, Section 39 etc.). This measure will address the specific challenges associated with making payment to these organisations including governance and scope.

The announcement covers eligible frontline healthcare workers only. I am also mindful of the many, many other workers throughout the country who played their own part during this difficult period. It is difficult to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which frontline healthcare workers faced.

In relation to Death in Service for those who tragically passed away due to COVID-19 contracted while working in essential health and social care services, this payment only applies to a relatively small number of individuals. In order to treat these sad circumstances as compassionately as possible, the employment criteria have been specified broadly.