Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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576. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work of his Department relating to special pay arrangements for front-line public healthcare workers unfit for work for long periods post-Covid-19 infection; when he expects any proposals to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35289/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Officials from my Department have engaged with the Health Service Executive and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to develop a proposal for a scheme for public health service employees in respect of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post COVID-19 infection. 

An offer of direct engagement between the management side and the health sector staff representative bodies in respect of the Scheme has been made, which I hope can be concluded quickly.

It would be inappropriate to make any further statement on the matter until that engagement is concluded.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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577. To ask the Minister for Health when arrangements will be put in place to process payment of the pandemic bonus payment to non-HSE/section 38 workers; if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35296/22]

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.

While my Department does not comment on individual cases, on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html . Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.

The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.

Officials in the Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:

1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);

2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;

3. Agency roles working in the HSE;

4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help/home care/home support) contracted to the HSE;

5. Redeployed members of the Defence Forces to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;

6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.

The Government is mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.

I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.