Vouchers and extra annual leave to be awarded to healthcare and public sectors for pandemic efforts

The plan for additional benefits was put forward last week.

The government has announced that it plans to give additional benefits to those working in the public sector throughout the pandemic. In recognition of work done by public-sector employees the last two years, the government will be allotting extra leave and gifting non-taxable vouchers. The government has said that they are working on bonus options for public sector workers after a plea from unions representing healthcare workers. While those in the government have assured unions that they will make sure they receive additional benefits, many within the unions are afraid that the promises will fall to one side and be forgotten about. Last week several unions including Fórsa, the Irish Nurses and Midwives’ Organisation and Siptu, sent a letter to Taoiseach Micheál Martin. According to the Irish Times, within the letter they asked the Taoiseach to intervene immediately to authorise the HSE and the relevant Government departments to engage with health service unions to agree and implement the promised recognition without any further delay. The unions say that while they are grateful that these additional benefits have been proposed, they still have their doubts that anything will come from them if the government don't move to implement them soon. The unions went on to say in the letter they sent to Taoiseach Micheál Martin that they 'appreciate the many supportive statements from you and other Government representatives [but] have yet to see any tangible progress towards recognition for their efforts, and in many cases, sacrifice'.