Over half of hospital cleaning and catering staff have yet to receive the Pandemic Special Recognition payment, a local senator has said.
Senator Aisling Dolan said the fact that these workers are waiting a year and a half for their payment is “wholly unacceptable and unfair”.
The Government decided in January 2022 to acknowledge the incredible work by healthcare staff during the Covid pandemic and the service they gave to help keep people safe.
“The Pandemic Special Recognition Payment of €1,000 is a very welcome and just acknowledgement of their work,” the Fine Gael senator said.
“Agency and contract staff working in catering and cleaning services were very much part of this cohort who played a vital role at this time – they provided essential services in infection control and bringing meals to patients on Covid-19 wards.
“It is only right and fair that these workers receive their payment. However, I am dismayed to learn that over half of them have not received anything, particularly at this time of rising costs.”
Senator Dolan said that many of these workers are on lower incomes and despite having worked as hard as and alongside their colleagues, they have seen all other groups being paid while they continue to wait.
“HSE employees including nurses, doctors, health and social care workers all received their payments last year.
“I raised this in the Seanad in November 2022 when 124,000 people in HSE and Sector 38 had received payment. Today I have learned that 205,000 eligible healthcare workers have received payments.”
Senator Dolan called for all outstanding payments to be made without delay.
