Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

267. To ask the Minister for Health when a direction will be issued to local authorities authorising the payment of the Covid-19 recognition payment to fire brigade personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47832/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.  

It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 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. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;  

6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.  

The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.  

With regard to eligible staff in cohorts 5 and 6, the Department of Health is engaging with the Department of Defence, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to progress payments to these cohorts as soon as possible.