Pandemic bonus may be extended to private sector
THE Government’s pandemic bonus could be extended to those in the private sector, the Minister for Public Expenditure has indicated.
Michael McGrath said there is a ‘renewed sense of appreciation’ for cleaners, retail staff, tourism and hospitality workers, and those who collect refuse.
At the Budgetary Oversight Committee, Mr McGrath said that details of the bonus would be worked out in a ‘very considered and careful way’.
There has been speculation about whether the recognition would extend to all frontline workers, not just those in the health service.
Speaking yesterday, Mr McGrath said that the bonus will not be announced on Budget day, instead the Labour Employer Economic Forum will be used to find ‘the best way to deal with this issue... to avoid opening up those kind of divisions’.
He added: ‘The Government absolutely accepts there is a need for recognition of the extraordinary efforts of so many people across the country over the course of the last 18 months.’
Other options being considered by the Government and unions includes a new bank holiday and a voucher scheme.
Mr McGrath said that a recognition of people’s extraordinary efforts during the pandemic is ‘absolutely appropriate and warranted’.
He said: ‘There are a lot of people across our society, certainly in our health service, but also in other frontline public services who did go above and beyond over the course of the last 18 months.
‘Many of whom took personal and considerable risks to protect the rest of us, and I think the Irish people, and those on the front line in particular, have been nothing short of extraordinary over that period of time.
‘In addition I think we have a renewed sense of appreciation of the roles played by so many people in different parts of the private sector. People who are cleaners, collect our refuse, who work in our retail sector and tourism and hospitality sector. All of whom took risks and went out in the front line in very challenging and difficult circumstances.’
Mr McGrath held a pre-Budget meeting with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on Wednesday to discuss their views on the pandemic bonus. He said they agreed that a collaborative approach is needed to work out who would be eligible for the cash payment. He added: ‘We will now be consulting in detail with the social partners to come up with an agreed way forward where we can deliver an appropriate recognition, which also acknowledges and commemorates the fact that over 5,000 people in Ireland died with Covid-19.’
Mr McGrath told the committee that the amount of spending on the Covid-19 pandemic exceeds €30billion. He said this year’s figure will reduce significantly next year as the economy recovers.
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Catherine Martin hinted yesterday that the Stay and Spend Scheme may be revived as part of the Budget.
The initiative allowed people to claim a tax credit of up to €125 on meals and accommodation between October 2020 and April 2021. When Minister Martin was asked if a voucher scheme giving people €100 or €200 in the hospitality sector was on the table for the Budget, she said: ‘There’s a lot to be considered for tourism supports,’ she responded. ‘I know [the voucher scheme] is one of the issues that they’re looking at.’
‘Very challenging circumstances’