Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2022
204. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that have been made for part-time home care workers employed by a private provider on behalf of the HSE to receive the pandemic bonus; the way that the payment will be calculated pro-rata; when the Government will announce the terms and conditions of the bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13293/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites. The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices (eg: nursing homes and hospices that are private, public, section 39, voluntary etc.) that were affected by Covid-19. As previously announced, the measure shall be paid free of tax, PRSI and USC.
Subject to the criteria mentioned, the measure encompasses Health Care Support Assistants (also known as Home Carers / Home Help) employed by or carrying out duties contracted to the HSE.
The Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions on this matter. This consultation is part of the Department and HSE’s objective to finalise the application of this measure fairly. Upon conclusion of consultations with the trade unions, full details of the application process, FAQs and other particulars including the pro-rata application of the measure shall be published by the HSE. It is intended that payments will be instructed this month, with the payment processed through local payroll thereafter.
Where the measure applies to private sector employees, (eg: equivalent healthcare workers in private nursing homes and hospices etc.) the arrangements for this sector encompassed by this measure are currently being progressed by the Department of Health.
