Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane TD has called on the government to honour its commitment to deliver a recognition bonus for frontline health and social care workers before Christmas. He will be raising this matter this week with the Taoiseach under Questions on Promised Legislation.

Teachta Cullinane said that frontline health and social care workers have been ‘through the wars’ between the pandemic and the usual winter chaos in our hospitals. He added that they are beyond burnout, and suffering from moral distress yet continue to work tirelessly to save lives.

Teachta Cullinane said:

“In the last few months, the government has made a lot of noise talking up the prospect of a pandemic bonus for frontline health and social care workers.

“Commitments were made by the Taoiseach in June and more recently by the Tánaiste that such a payment would be brought forward without delay.

“It was hoped to be delivered in the budget, but it wasn’t. It was hoped that it would be delivered soon after the budget, yet we still have no clarity.

“Minister McGrath stated that this needed to be resolved before the end of the year, which is fast approaching. There are only two weeks before the Dáil rises for recess and no proposal is on the table.

“Our frontline health and social care workers have been through the wars and are working flat out to keep the health system running under severe pressure from covid and emergency care.

“They are beyond burnout and the current circumstances are presenting serious difficulties for them and causing acute moral distress. They are unable to take breaks or sick leave without an immense sense of guilt. That is fundamentally unfair.

“The government must honour its commitments and deliver a recognition bonus for the monumental sacrifices made by our doctors, nurses, and allied health and social care professionals before Christmas.”