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LAST UPDATE | 23 Sep 2021
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has opened the door for bonus payments or extra leave for frontline workers in sectors other than the health service.
In the Dáil, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told the Dáil that it was his “strong view” that bonus payments or extra leave should not be limited to frontline workers in the health service.
Asked about the prospect today in New York, the Taoiseach said the Minister of Public Expenditure Michael McGrath has been engaging with partners and unions on the issue.
“We want to reflect the contribution that people have made during an Covid-19 particularly frontline workers. And those frontline workers have been in many sectors, not least in retail, for example, right from the beginning and commencement of the pandemic, and it will be challenging, but that is something that we are working towards energetically and proactively,” he said.
When asked if workers can expect a monetary award, the Taoiseach said he would not go into specifics. “We’re going to have further engagements with the sectors, and it could be a combination of approaches,” he said, pointing out that it could be a combination of a monetary bonus or time in lieu.
Martin said “we want to get this right, we want to be inclusive, that is why there is a process underway. I can assure you it will be about action not words”.
With “proper engagement, I think we can get a generous resolution of this to reflect those who did so much for us during the pandemic,” he said.
While the process of considering rolling in workers from other sectors is ongoing, the Taoiseach said “obviously there are going to be some limits at some point” as to who bonuses or time in lieu might apply.
However, he added: “There are ways and means of capturing the contribution that different sectors made during the pandemic.”
Earlier in the week, Varadkar said enormous work has been done by civil servants in the Department of Social Protection in making sure that people got their PUP payments, and got them quickly.
“I know of the work staff in the Revenue did in making sure that businesses got their employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, payments and of the work staff in my Department did in making sure that businesses got the assistance they needed. Too often, we make this distinction between front-line workers and non-front-line workers that does not fully appreciate that there is nothing you can do as a front-line worker if it were not for all of the people behind you,” he said in the Dáil.
The public expenditure minister said today the cost of granting ten days additional leave to healthcare workers as recognition of their work during the pandemic would cost the State over €1 billion.
A Labour Court recommendation issued on Monday estimated that the direct cost of granting the leave would be around €377 million. However, McGrath said that once overtime and agency staff brought in to cover the days are taken into the account, the final figure would be “well over €1 billion”.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, McGrath said the Government is committed to expressing their gratitude to frontline healthcare workers who he described as “outstanding”.
“We are still living with Covid and I want to join with others in paying tribute to frontline health care workers who were outstanding over the last 18 months and the government believes we need to give special recognition to that,” he said.
However, McGrath said he will deal with the issue of special recognition for healthcare workers in the coming weeks but said he was also conscious of those working in the private sector who had also put in a massive effort during the pandemic.
“I am giving a commitment to dealing with this issue in the next few weeks. There is a lot of complexity here because the whole of society played such a big role in getting us through the pandemic. We should not pursue a divisive approach to the issue of compensation for workers,” he added.
Unions had sought some form of special recognition for healthcare staff as far back as last year.
Health service employers in France, Northern Ireland, Denmark and elsewhere have offered staff bonuses or pay increases in recognition of their work over the past year.
TheJournal.ie’s Political Correspondent Christina Finn will be bringing you all the latest updates from Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s visit to New York this week.
Stay up-to-date by following @christinafinn8, @TJ_Politics, @thejournal_ie and TheJournal.ie’s Facebook page.
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If my EuroMillions numbers come out on Tuesday, you’ll know where to find me! Wow!
Even if you won the euro millions on Tuesday at €180m, over half of it would get you one penthouse in this building. Its an insane amount of money to spend on an apartment. Imagine what kind of house you would have for the same money? Seriously though who buys these places?
Plenty that would want to live in New York would buy these places.
They start at 7million so I’ll buy one of the cheaper ones if the euromillions comes in! With the way rent is in Manhattan it would probably be a solid investment!
Graham, people who have money, that’s who. I’m sure they also have houses elsewhere as well.
Eh, billionaires Graham. Billionaires buy them. Ah jaysus, why oh why didn’t I create Facebook …
Wow !!!
Even if you don’t live in these dwellings, NYC is the greatest city on earth. An amazing atmosphere with a buzz – and friendly people.
Very safe – police (armed) everywhere. On motorcycles, horseback and on the sidewalk.
And good value – except for accommodation which should be carefully researched. This best option is a small functional apartment.
On a break, you’ll only be sleeping there really. I use Radio City apartments – details on their website. Clean, central – and businesslike.
Do they take rent allowance lol It is a magnificent view but 95 million is a bit much.
I’ll take two.
Thought about it, but fear of heights has ruled it out. I’d have to keep the blinds closed
Abrahmovich bought the top penthouse as a gift to his daughter for a reported $125 million, $15 million above the original asking price so as to fend off any prospective rival bidders
dirty Russia tramp
At least you don’t have to close the blinds to stop the neighbors looking in.
No issue with the neighbours extension blocking light
I’m sure there will be one of them available on Airbnb fairly soon!
Wow! An actual stylish home in America untainted by mahogany and frills! That’s gorgeous.
And I suppose you have seen every home in the US?
I was never a fan of NY. Filthy place rude people. I don’t see the appeal.
New York is a dirty as any other major city. As for being rude? I’ve come across some of the most friendly, helpful and interesting people in this city. You can strike up conversations with strangers in a bar or a park any day of the week. New Yorkers love to chat. I personally relish in that. Beside the people, you have an endless choice of amazing restaurants, bars, and music venues. What’s not to love?
Like I said, I was never a fan of NY. My opinion. Im very happy you love it. Good for you.
I’m with you there Mike. I found it very underwhelming but maybe I expected more than I should have. I much preferred Boston, now that’s a beautiful city with fantastic architecture.
New York is a huge city with a massive population. Visiting for a few days you’ll see a tiny % of what the city has to over. Imagining telling people Dublin is not worth their time after only visiting temple bar area for a weekend.
You are getting very defensive there Bevin. I have been to NY many times. Not because I like it but because I have family living there. Everyone is entilted to their own opnion. You obviously love it as do many people but I disagree that’s all.
Of course, anyone who can communicate can express an opinion. You can visit a city many times and still only experience a fraction of it and NYC is a perfect example of this. I’m sorry if defending the city I live, love and work in irks you. I prefer to keep an open mind and avoid making mass generalizations, about anything.
It doesn’t irk me at all. Good for you if you feel that way. I was just responding to Mike’s post. You seem to be the one making generalisions not me.
Mike, NYC is a lot cleaner and safer now then ever before. I was there 2 years ago and manhattan was virtually litter free. A big change from the last time I was there in ’89 when Times Square was dive.
I’ve been to New York many times both for work and pleasure. The first few times I hated it. But when I started to get used to the wall to wall noise and explore parts that are off the beaten tourist tracks I found it to be the most amazing city on the planet.
I started reading about its history and the different neighbourhoods then visited those places when I had time.
Like every city on the planet you’ll have bad parts and some ugliness and urban decay but for sure adventure and atmosphere there is nowhere like it. Plus I feel a lot safer walking around Manhattan at Night than I do Dublin city centre.
I live here in NYC and I find Dublin to be filthier
What’s so astounding about the view? Acres of concrete draped in smog
Jaaaysus
Ive lived in the US for many years Bevin. I know NY very well. I agree with Linda head to Boston or Chicago.
Wheres the water meter fitted ??…188 euro for call outs..important question i think if im paying 90 odd million for it..lol
I’m here in NYC going on 18 years you either love it or hate it for me it worked but it’s not for everyone
Beautiful. But no way could I live that high up.
Generalisation? Funny that Bevin you presumed I visited NY for a few days. How wrong are you. I probably lived in the US for longer than you’re born.
Ah, the old “before you were born” “back in my day” spiel. I wouldn’t have liked to live in NYC in the 70′s either, so you have a point there, I suppose.
Sadly this building reflect all that has been lost in NYC. Increasingly a millionaires only place to live. Alot that gave NY its culture and allure came from the bottom up, immigrant neighbourhoods, art movements from genuine aspiring artists who could then still afford to live in Manhattan. Now its a case of a clip on culture in Greenwich Village and an ever increasing mono corporate aesthetic. NY has lost alot of its traditional appeal. Look at average wages in NYC and costs etc, it just doesn’t offer working people what it once did and culturally that is becoming all the more apparent. NY has got very boring relative to what itvonce was. The building is for billionaires to lorde over the masses, a celebration of greed and unprecedented inequality.
I prefer the view from my own house: http://i.imgur.com/D4Velxm.png
Tut tut. Read it again!! “Longer” than you’re born, not before. A big difference.
And what happens when u do ure weekly shop, you’re weighed down with bags and the feckin lift is out of order?? Hmmmmmm not so great then is it walking up all those flights of stairs
Wow
It has improved over the last 20 years mainly around the tourist areas but most of it is still dirty. I got a cab recently from JFK to lower Manhattan. The filth on the streets all along the route. The city is hyped up by the media as the best city on earth. Many to be let down.
@Bevin, London, Paris are much cleaner than NY and just as big.
Take those blinkers off when at home David.
All the interior views are cgi, not photos
$95 million for a flat? How obscene! Does anyone of you dare to question where this wealth derives from,or are you too enamored with the glitz to even care?
Stainless steel appliances, I have those in my kitchen too, must be doing something right!!
have your say