A number of months ago, Ministers and the three leaders of the parties in government made a lot of noise about the bonus and recognition payment for those on the front line in healthcare. Many Ministers fell over themselves to talk about how that was going to be expanded to others on the front line outside of healthcare. There was a lot of expectation built up and a great deal of noise. The budget came and went, but people heard nothing. Since the budget, that noise has been replaced with radio silence. Maybe the Taoiseach can amplify the noise that was there in the past and explain to me and the people listening when those on the front line in healthcare and elsewhere who have been through the wars over the past number of months and years are going to get the bonus and the recognition payment that was promised.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. There has been engagement with social partners about this. There is no question that front-line workers, particularly in the healthcare area, have been exceptional, in ICUs and elsewhere. Certainly, we are looking at a range of proposals. The intention remains to respond to that issue. When those deliberations are finalised I will come back to Deputy Cullinane.