Payment of pandemic bonus for non-HSE Mayo staff still unclear

A Mayo TD has said the ongoing delays around issuing the pandemic special recognition payment to qualifying healthcare workers who are not directly employed by the HSE is causing a huge amount of frustration among frontline workers.

Deputy Alan Dillon said many non HSE/Section 38 workers are yet to receive the payment and are still "unsure as to when they will get it."

He stated: “I’ve been contacted by numerous constituents who qualify for the payment, but they’ve still yet to receive it.

"It is disappointing that the HSE have washed their hands of the thousands of Section 39 workers, cleaners, caterers, and security staff who do not work for the HSE or a recruitment agency.

"They made a massive contribution combatting the spread of Covid and they must be eligible for this payment.

“The HSE has made it clear to unions from day one that the circular that gives effect to the decision to pay non-HSE staff lies squarely with the Department of Health and the minister.

“I wrote to the Department of Health requesting a timeline for delivery of this bonus payment and received a response this week."

Deputy Dillon was informed that the Department of Health will shortly publish information for those other certain healthcare employees that are covered by the government decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff as follows:

Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39).

Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities.

Agency roles working in the HSE.

Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE.

Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in the HSE.

Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.

Deputy Dillon concluded: “The department of Health has advised that it commits to provide relevant information and updates to staff and employer representative groups as these measure progress."