Fórsa National Secretary Ashley Connolly has criticised Government for lengthy delays to the payment of the special additional financial recognition for healthcare workers who worked during the pandemic.

The HSE’s circular about the payment issued in April, following a Government announcement in January. However, five months later, there are still huge numbers of people who have not been awarded the payment, specifically those not employed by the HSE and in section 38 agencies.

Ashley said: “It has already been a battle to ensure all these workers, especially those working outside the mainstream HSE and Section 38 agencies receive the payment.

“Nine months have passed since this payment was first announced, and we’re still waiting. The Department of Health have stated they are going to tender to put in place a mechanism for other workers such as Section 39s and agency workers, but there remains little to no details on how this will operate.

“We are looking to speak to the Minister for Health as soon as possible in order to rectify this situation,” she said.

The Department of Health has indicated that 121,487 workers have already received their bonus including 85,012 HSE staff and 36,475 at State-funded ‘section 38’ organisations.

Fórsa has worked tirelessly to ensure that the payment will go to all workers who worked in locations deemed to be high-risk, not just clinical staff. The union has written to the Minister of Health, Stephen Donnelly seeking a meeting.

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