To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the health and social care staff COVID-19 special recognition payment; and whether volunteers and staff of private and/or community ambulances are eligible for the payment.

All HSC statutory sector employees received their payments in July salaries.

As at 19 January, 563 claims have been received from care home and domiciliary care providers which are progressing through the various stages of the pre-payment checks. Of these, 494 have been paid and 14 are awaiting further information from the claimants. 55 claims are from organisations not on the authorised list and are undergoing additional checks on their eligibility.

Ad hoc shifts for cover, be they within nursing, medicine or patient transport are not eligible under the scheme. Qualifying individuals must have completed at least one month's continuous direct employment, or, in the case of an agency worker, have been on a placement of more than 12 weeks’ duration. While the contribution of workers such as those in private and community ambulances is much appreciated and valued, it is not possible to extend the scope of the scheme to recognise all such contributions.