Now teachers want in on ‘pandemic bonus’

...as Taoiseach says reward will not be in Budget

TEACHERS unions are clamouring to be included in any ‘Covid bonus’ awarded to frontline workers in recognition of the ‘extraordinary efforts’ throughout the pandemic.

But it appears that not all teachers are backing the call, with one describing the move as ‘mortifying’ while debate intensifies about who should qualify and what they should receive.

The call by the teachers unions comes amid reports that a tax-free voucher for up to €500, along with an extra bank holiday, is now on the table as a reward for frontline workers work during the health crisis.

‘Definitely wasn’t from teachers on the ground’

However, the Taoiseach has confirmed it will not be a decision that will be announced on the upcoming Budget day on October 12, and it has yet to be confirmed what sectors will be included for the reward.

Teachers, however, now expect to be part of any discussions involving the rewarding of frontline public health workers.

In a joint statement by the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), the unions stated: ‘We would expect to be included in any discussions around the acknowledgement of workers’ contributions during the pandemic.

‘Teachers’ extraordinary efforts – both face-to-face with their pupils in crowded classrooms and in the online learning space – have allowed primary and special schools to continue to prioritise children and young people’s needs.’

However, Eric Nelligan, teacher and ASTI representative in Limerick, said he and his colleagues believe the suggestion is ‘mortifying’.

‘I’m in a group with a number of other teachers… and every one of us admitted we would be embarrassed to actually try to put ourselves on the same pedestal or award category as the health service,’ he told Newstalk radio’s Lunchtime Live. ‘I don’t know where this came from but it definitely wasn’t from teachers on the ground… I would say let’s give the award or bonus to health service people, especially those who actually had to put on the PPE.’

Mr Nelligan added: ‘If the Government give in to this, it’s buying votes… it’s politics at its peak if they give in to this.’

Government sources told the Mail that an announcement on the pandemic bonus is expected in the days after the Budget.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe also refused to speculate on the details of the pandemic bonus but emphasised that any reward would need to be ‘affordable’.

‘I’m aware there’s a lot of debate under way in relation to this. I just want to emphasise this is something that does need to be fair, needs to recognise the contribution that so many have made,’ he said.

‘It’s also something that needs to be affordable. What we need to do, which we will be doing, is engaging stakeholders on this issue.’ The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said yesterday that it has had ‘absolutely no engagement with the [HSE] in a meaningful way’ on the issue of the bonus. INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the union has been actively seeking engagement on the matter.

‘We have made a very strong argument that the additional hours they put in unpaid, that the very high risk that they faced and continue to face, should have specific compensation. We made that claim last November,’ she told RTÉ’s Today With Claire Byrne.

‘This is back to the political system and really it is a matter of saying, “Do you really value the work that was done by those who went into the eye of the storm?. If you do, then get into talks and let’s agree how that is translated”.’

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors also says its members should get a pandemic bonus on a par with other frontline workers.