Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment (PRP) for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The payment is not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The Government announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the payment. The payment amounts to €1,000 for those eligible staff who worked at least 60% WTE, for at least 4 weeks during the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021, and €600 for below 60% WTE. Those who worked less than 4 weeks are not in scope.

The measure is ring-fenced to eligible staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. In terms of Defence Forces personnel, this includes members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE.

Work to identify COVID duties undertaken by members of the Defence Forces has been completed as an initial step in identifying personnel who are eligible for this recognition payment. Significant engagement has subsequently taken place between officials from the Department of Defence and the Department of Health to determine which of these duties undertaken by Defence Forces personnel, as part of the State's response to the COVID pandemic, have been deemed "in scope" and therefore eligible for this payment, under the Scheme. It is important to note that ultimate interpretation of the Scheme remains a matter for the Minister for Health, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

My officials have informed me that approximately 370 personnel will be paid the full €1,000 bonus payment on 14 December next. Efforts will continue to have all remaining eligible personnel paid as soon as possible after that.

Concerning the Deputy’s query regarding Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) staff eligibility, work is ongoing on identifying whether these duties are deemed within scope of the Scheme.

As regards Mandatory Hotel Quarantine, the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, has informed my Department that these duties are outside the scope of the eligibility criteria for payment.

The overarching priority for my Department remains to identify all eligible members, and to ensure that that Pandemic Recognition Payments are made to eligible Defence Forces members in the shortest possible time frame. That being said, however, it is important to note that ultimate interpretation of the Scheme remains a matter for the Minister for Health, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.