A planned Special Recognition Payment for frontline healthcare workers must be extended to social care professionals, gardaí and Defence Forces personnel, the Government has been told by one of its own TDs. Sligo Leitrim TD Marc MacSharry made the demand after the Taoiseach told the Dáil that the Cabinet “will respond to and recognise the extraordinary efforts that frontline healthcare workers have made”. We are not out of this pandemic yet.”Read MoreHis comments came after Independent TD Joan Collins described as “astounding and shameful” the fact that the HSE has not given a childcare allowance to healthcare workers. In England and Scotland, a once-off payment of £500 has been paid to healthcare workers and in France there has been a payment of €1,500, she pointed out. Fianna Fáil TD Mr MacSharry welcomed the pledge of a special recognition payment to all frontline health staff but said others had also made an extraordinary contribution throughout the pandemic.

Source: Irish Independent February 10, 2021 17:07 UTC