Government agrees Covid Recognition Payment and New Public Holiday

Once-off public holiday on Friday 18^th March this year, followed by Day of Remembrance & Recognition

New recurring St. Brigid’s day public holiday

€1,000 tax-free recognition payment

The Government has agreed to designate a once-off public holiday on Friday 18^th March 2022 in recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Government has also agreed to give a recognition payment of €1,000 (tax free), for eligible frontline health and ambulance workers. An equivalent payment will be provided for relevant staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.

This is a balanced package of measures that will benefit all workers across the economy, while also recognising in particular the efforts of healthcare workers.

The new public holiday will be followed by a day of remembrance and recognition to take place over St Patrick’s weekend.

From next year there will be a new permanent public holiday established in celebration of Imbolc/St Brigid’s day. This will be the first Monday in every February, except where St. Brigid’s day, the 1st day of February, happens to fall on a Friday, in which case that Friday 1^st February will be a public holiday. 

Speaking at the announcement Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said:

“Collaboration and solidarity have been the hallmark of our national response to Covid-19. All sectors of our economy and society have made, and continue to make, important contributions to helping our country through the pandemic. While no monetary amount could truly reflect the dedication of healthcare staff on the frontline, the Government believes it is appropriate, at this time, that a once-off tax-free payment of €1,000 be provided for all eligible public service healthcare and ambulance workers, in recognition of their efforts. I want to thank them for their dedication and commitment during this extraordinary period. The payment, combined with the commemorative events which will be undertaken and the additional public holiday represent a balanced and timely recognition of the collective national effort that has been undertaken in response to the pandemic.”

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD said:

“It has been my privilege as Minister for Health during this most challenging period for our health service to witness first-hand the commitment, expertise and dedication of our frontline workers. I am delighted to be in a position to confirm this payment to frontline public sector healthcare workers. It is a small token of the appreciation and gratitude that my colleagues in Government and indeed, the Irish people as a whole have for your ongoing efforts to protect us all from the worst impacts of Covid-19.”