To ask the Minister of Health (i) how the £500 recognition payment claims process for independent health and social care workers differs from that for HSC payroll staff; and (ii) for his assessment of the prohibitiveness of this differing system.

Unlike the statutory sector payments, where my officials were working with a small number of employers, the independent sector has a much larger employer base. In addition employees are a lot more transient not only between providers but also may have moved outside the sector completely.

Due to the issues described at (i), developing a set of standardised eligibility criteria has proven more challenging. Likewise the development of a payment mechanism with appropriate safeguards in place, particularly in circumstances where an employee has moved between providers, or has moved out of the sector completely has also proven problematic.

My officials continue to engage with trade unions and representatives of employers to develop a workable payment process. While this has taken longer than for staff working in Health and Social Care Trusts this does not reflect any difference in value of the work done.