Stephen Donnelly has told nurses he wants the special €1,000 Covid payment for frontline healthcare workers paid “immediately.”
The special payment was first promised way back in January and has not been paid to anyone yet.
The Health Minister was speaking at the INMO (Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation) annual conference in Sligo, his first address to them since becoming minister nearly two years ago.
READ MORE: Covid pandemic bonus: Frontline healthcare workers to get €1,000 'in next paycheque'
He added that the payment was just a “small recognition” of the great work nurses had done at the coalface during the pandemic.
Mr Donnelly told the packed hall of nurses: “In the face of the many challenges posed during this time, the INMO continued to support optimal care delivery through constructive engagement, both by the organisation and its leadership, and I would like to acknowledge these efforts.
“None of this has been easy.
“A number of healthcare workers lost their lives to Covid.
“Many of you, or your colleagues, became sick.
“You worked longer hours, under more stressful conditions.
“You made personal sacrifices. Ireland’s healthcare workers have represented the very best of our nation. For your extraordinary contribution, both I, as Minister for Health, the Government and the whole country, sincerely thank you.
“As a token of appreciation, the Government has announced an additional public holiday for all workers, and a special payment for frontline healthcare workers.
“My Department has been liaising with the HSE who have been working hard to roll out this measure.
“I have made it very clear that I want all eligible nurses and midwives to receive this payment without delay.”
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter .
