Northern Ireland has followed the lead of Wales and Scotland in recognising the contribution of its health and social care staff during the pandemic with a £500 payment.
Health Minister Robin Swann said the payment would be subject to approval from the Department of Finance, the BBC reported.
The minister said: “There are no words to properly convey what health workers have done for us, we will never be able to repay that debt.”
Northern Ireland’s Department of Health yesterday recorded 16 more coronavirus-related deaths, taking its toll to 1,779. A further 527 people tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours.
The payment follows similar moves in Scotland and Wales and means England is now the only country in the UK to have not given its health and care staff a bonus in recognition of their contribution during the pandemic.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The social care workforce more than ever demonstrates unwavering compassion and dedication. We are proud of and immensely grateful to them.
“The vast majority of care workers are employed by private sector providers who ultimately set their pay and remuneration, independent of central government. Local authorities work with care providers to determine a fair rate of pay based on local market conditions.
“This month, the Government announced an additional £120 million to support the social care workforce to provide additional care staff where shortages arise, support administrative tasks so experienced and skilled staff can focus on providing care, and help existing staff to take on additional hours if they wish with overtime payments or by covering childcare costs.”
Do care home workers have to apply for the bonus
Hi Angela, the Northern Ireland Executive has said details on how to apply will be released soon.
I’m baised in a Priory care home in Belfast. We’re now in May and still haven’t been told when were getting this bonus, or if we’re ever going to get it.!
It’s upsetting that only certain care home are getting this bonus and others aren’t.
We worked and still are working through Covid 19 we in a nursing home at the start were forgot about and experienced deaths of residents who we loved and cared for I believe through the virus front line workers shouldn’t of had to pay tax
I’m working in NIAS but employed by Mount charles am I eligible for 500£ bonus?
Hi Angela,
The Northern Ireland Executive have published information on this here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
hi is the private ambulance sector getting this payment who work for the NHS ?
Hi Stuart, the Northern Ireland Executive has said it will be issuing some further details about the exact groups to receive the bonus in due course
I hope us private sector workers get this too as we worked hard to keep residents safe. Is nursing home staff getting this??
The Northern Ireland Executive have published information on this here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
Hi do 24/7 carers who look after person in their own homes get the bonus, I’ve been single handling my client since March 2020,24/7
Hi Mandie, the Northern Ireland Executive has said details of those eligible be released shortly.
When can the health care workers espect the payment and will it be taxed
Hi Terry, am expecting further news on this shortly. Will share on our website.
When will you get the 500
The Northern Ireland Executive have published information on this here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
As agency health care worker I worked 31hr a week will I get this £500 bonus?
The Northern Ireland Executive have published information on this here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
The Northern Ireland Executive have published information on this here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
The Northern Ireland Executive have published information on this here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
Do keyworkers working in private homes recieve it thanks
The Northern Ireland Executive have published information on this here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
When will they announce the date they are paying this and is it tax free
The Northern Ireland Executive have published information on this here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
I hope that is all carers. Nurses.cleaners.kitchen staff regardless of them being fulltime or part time. All have done fantastic job in extreme situation.
I work in a private nursing home i have been off on maternity leave and recently returned to work at the start of the new year do i still qualify for the one of payment the guidence doesnt really clarify. As we are still in the middle of this pandemic and i am now back to work over a month will i get it??
The Northern Ireland Executive have published information on this here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
Can you tell me what number of hours is considered full time as I believe this is important when working out how much payment people will get.
Hi Isobel,
The Northern Ireland Executive have published more information here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
I would contact your employer if this does not address your query.
When are the carers in northern lreland getting the 500pounds bonus.
Hi Andrea,
This is the latest from the Department of Health
Work is still ongoing to finalise the details of the scheme but we are working to make payments as soon as is possible.
Further detail can be found at:-
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
When are these payments due to be made roughly? It’s been 3 months from we heard anything else about it…
Hi Tess,
This is the latest from the Department of Health
Work is still ongoing to finalise the details of the scheme but we are working to make payments as soon as is possible.
Further detail can be found at:-
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
Hi I’m just wondering if ppl who do private care work will receive the one off payment?
Many thanks
Christine
This is the latest from the Department of Health
Work is still ongoing to finalise the details of the scheme but we are working to make payments as soon as is possible.
Further detail can be found at:-
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs
What about everyone else who works in a nursing home it can’t run without kitchen domestic laundry and administration workers. It’s an absolutely disgrace that these workers are being overlooked.