To ask the Minister of Health (i) to detail which health and social care staff will receive the £500 recognition payment; (ii) whether agency workers will receive the payment; (iii) whether community pharmacy staff will receive the payment; and (iv) whether registered carers working in the community will receive the payment.

An FAQ on the special recognition payment, which includes eligibility criteria, has been published on the Department’s website and is available at the following link;

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs

Agency workers on longer term placements will be eligible.

Officials in My Department are also developing mechanisms to provide this payment to wider healthcare settings, such as community pharmacy staff.

Officials in My Department are also looking at ways to provide this payment to those working in Independent social care settings, including those working in care homes, homecare staff, palliative care/hospice staff