Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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645. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will clarify the total number of Defence Forces personnel who will receive the Covid pandemic recognition payment in view of the fact that over 2,000 members provided support to essential services, in particular both in our hospitals and in the vaccination centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1135/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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 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 means members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE.

Work to identify all COVID-related duties undertaken by members of the Defence Forces was completed as an initial step in identifying personnel who are eligible for this recognition payment. Significant engagement subsequently took place between officials from the Department of Defence and the Department of Health to determine which of these duties, were deemed "in scope" and therefore eligible for this payment, under the Department of Health's scheme.

To date, on the basis of those eligibility criteria, 417 Defence Forces Personnel have been paid the full €1,000 Pandemic Recommendation Payment. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to ensure that Pandemic Recognition payments continue to be made to eligible Defence Forces members, in the shortest possible timeframe, as early as possible in 2023.

It is important to note however 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.