Frontline workers still waiting for bonus 9 months after cabinet sign off, says Donnelly

Taoiseach Micheál Martin must directly intervene and ensure frontline workers receive the pandemic bonus payment that was signed off on by cabinet nine months ago, Sinn Fein TD Paul Donnelly says.

Speaking last week, the Dublin North West TD said that frontline workers have waited too long for the bonus promised to them almost a year ago.

“During the pandemic, frontline workers here in Dublin went above and beyond as they worked in extremely stressful circumstances to protect all our communities,” he said.

“They were rightly praised at the time including by the government, but this praise has failed to turn into action.

“It has now been more than nine months since the cabinet signed off on a pandemic bonus payment for frontline health staff.

“Despite this, many workers still have not received this payment that they were promised.”

Deputy Donnelly said that he has been contacted by frontline workers in his constituency voicing their frustration over the delay.

“Workers here in Dublin West such as caterers, cleaners, security staff, agency staff and many more on the frontline in our local hospitals and healthcare settings have been contacting me to express their concern that they are still waiting for this payment.

“Many of those who worked right through the pandemic in our local James Connolly Hospital or in residential care settings and other important public facing jobs, at all different levels have contacted my office on this issue,” he says.

“They are entitled to receive this payment; however, the government has failed to follow through on their promises and workers have been left in the lurch with no answers and no sense of urgency from the government.

“Frontline workers in Dublin West have been let down badly by this government’s failure to follow through on their promises.”

Donnelly says that requests have been made to the Taoiseach asking that he gets directly involved in the matter.

“This is absolutely unacceptable.

“Sinn Féin’s Health spokesperson David Cullinane has written to the Taoiseach this week, urging him to intervene directly to ensure this payment is paid promptly.

“The Taoiseach needs to get a grip on this issue, so that this disrespect to frontline health staff ends.

“Sinn Féin in government would stand up for healthcare workers to ensure that they are treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to ensuring that workers in Dublin West receive the payment they were promised,” he says.