If ever there was a scheme that epitomised the lack of planning, co-ordination and consistency by the Government to a level that was almost calculated to cause division, it is the pandemic bonus payment. The 11 officers in the stores and material management department of University Hospital Kerry changed their shifts and organised PPE in the hospital and in the community, as well as doing their normal jobs of organising beds and wheelchairs. Having done that, they now see workers in other hospitals have received the payment. Will the Minister ensure there is equality of treatment throughout the health service and that these workers receive their payment, even at this late stage?

As the Deputy will be aware, the vast majority of payments have been made. There are specific guidelines across hospitals. Broadly, the payment is for people working in hospitals in patient areas. For example, security, catering, cleaning and contract are all covered. The kinds of people working in an acute setting who would not be covered might include people working in an administrative office that is typically separated from patient areas. If the 11 workers to which the Deputy referred were working in areas where there would be typically patients around, they should be entitled to the payment.

If the Deputy sends me a note, I will take a look.

It would be remiss of me not to point out, and I am sure the Deputy will acknowledge, that his own party proposed a €200 recognition payment whereas the workers around the system have been getting €1,000 tax-free under this scheme.