Healthcare workers put themselves on the front line for all of us during the two years, and more, of the pandemic. They are now overrun again. There are record numbers on hospital trolleys and further surges in Covid. On 19 January the Tánaiste proposed that €1,000 would be given to each healthcare worker. This week, I had several representations from healthcare workers to say that it still has not been paid and that the Government is essentially proposing an unsustainable model which the representatives of the healthcare workers does not feel is acceptable. I believe there was a meeting yesterday. Will the Tánaiste update us? As one healthcare worker pointed out, other healthcare workers in Europe received reward payments 18 months ago yet 18 months on our healthcare workers still have not received the €1,000 reward payment that the Tánaiste promised them.

I am not familiar with the outcome of any meeting that occurred yesterday. However, the Government is very keen to make this payment to front-line and essential workers who were exposed to Covid during the pandemic period. Negotiations and consultations are still underway with unions. We want to make that payment as soon as possible and in the next few weeks if we can.