Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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565. To ask the Minister for Health if re-consideration will be given to PSRP eligibility to include day service Section 39 staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51021/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Firstly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their diligent efforts during the Covid 19 Pandemic.

Last year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic.

Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following a significant consideration and consultation process. I can confirm that in order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:

• Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
• Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
• Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
• Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
  1.Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
  
  2.Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
  
  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.Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.