In January 2022, a tax-free payment of €1,000 was announced for eligible frontline workers in recognition of their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, 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.

There has been a lack of clarity in the process for qualification for the payment as well as delays in awarding the recognition bonus to private nursing home staff, healthcare assistants and many others who worked on the frontline at the height of the pandemic.

To date, the payment has been paid to more than 100,000 health staff.

At a meeting between unions and the Department of Health at the end of last year, the department confirmed that more than 86,000 non-HSE staff had yet to be paid the bonus.

Almost 3,500 healthcare workers made an appeal on the 30^th of September in relation to the non-payment of the €1,000 Covid recognition bonus.

Fórsa national secretary Ashley Connolly has indicated that the appeals process for those working in section 38’s and mainstream HSE is underway.

“A scheme has been put in place for members working in Section 39's and employers have been notified. The Department of Health continues to state those who worked in TULSA, Irish Blood Transfusion Service and the National Virus Reference Lab are outside the scope.”

The group of unions have written to the Minister for Health, Mr Stephen Donnelly, once again, in order to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.