Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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599. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 557 of 27 September 2022, the timeline for non-HSE and non-Section 39 organisations to receive their pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52834/22]

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 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 front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;

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

Regarding cohorts 1-4 above, the HSE has recently tendered for an external provider to assist in setting up and implementing the process of gathering required information from the relevant employers, to facilitate payment of the Pandemic Recognition Payment to their eligible staff. I am eager for an efficient rollout process to begin very shortly as this contract comes into force.

Regarding cohorts 5 and 6, the Department and HSE are engaging with other Departments involved to progress payments as soon as possible for eligible staff.