Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that healthcare workers who were on the frontline during the pandemic are set to get their cash bonus soon.
The €1,000 payment in recognition of their "unique role" during the Covid-19 pandemic was announced in January.
However, no definite date had been given as to when frontline public sector healthcare workers would receive the cash.
READ MORE: Covid pandemic bonus: Micheal Martin shares update on payment date for healthcare workers
In an update on Friday, Minister Donnelly said workers could expect their payment "as soon as possible through the next available payroll".
He said: "I welcome the significant efforts made to progress the payment of this measure.
"This is the result of extensive work by officials in my department and the HSE, as well as consultations between the HSE, Department of Health and health sector trade unions.
"The necessary circulars to activate this payment have been finalised and will be published by the HSE early next week.
"The payment will be made as soon as possible to those who are confirmed as eligible, through the next available payroll, subject to local processes."
Minister Donnelly added: "This measure was introduced as a token of the appreciation and gratitude that myself, my colleagues in Government and the Irish people have for the ongoing efforts of our frontline public sector healthcare workers to protect us all from the worst impacts of COVID-19.
"I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all involved – in particular our frontline public sector healthcare workers and the unions who represent them – for their patience and extensive engagement while this important once off measure was progressed.
"A further phase of this payment will include arrangements for paying those eligible staff that are not employed by the HSE / Section 38 agencies (for example: Private Sector Nursing Homes / Hospices). Further details of this phase will be announced in due course."
The €1,000 payment will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI.
The eligibility requirements are:
Employees who, between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021, worked in an environment which warranted their inclusion in Sequence Group 1 and 2 for the vaccination programme.
The value to each eligible employee is based on your contracted hours between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021 and will be pro-rated on the following basis:
- employees whose contracted hours are equal to or greater than 60% WTE for their grade shall receive €1,000
- employees whose contracted hours are less than 60% WTE for their grade shall receive €600
Employees who worked less than four weeks in total during the period are not in scope.
The Department of Health says full details on the scheme will be published by the HSE next week.
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