Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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464. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to recognise the contribution of the members of the Defence Forces in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. [23143/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government Covid-19 response. A wide range of supports have since been provided by the Defence Forces to the HSE as well as to other Departments and Agencies, including support to the ongoing vaccination programme. Currently the focus remains on the ongoing Recovery phase.

As you will be aware, the Government decision on 19 January 2022 directed the Department of Health to provide special additional financial recognition to those eligible front line healthcare workers based on the particular additional risks they faced in the performance of their normal duty during the pandemic.  

Guidelines for eligibility are very specific and in this regard the Department of Health has recently contacted my Department and discussions have commenced in consideration of members of the Defence Forces who were engaged in duties in response to the pandemic, which might be considered eligible for such a payment.

While these considerations are underway it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage.