To ask the Minister of Health to detail the organisations in the independent health and social care sector that his Department has contacted in relation to the £500 recognition payment for workers in this sector.

I can confirm that my officials have been and remain in contact with appropriate clinical and medical professional bodies, Trade Representative organisations, Trade Unions, Employers organisations, Government Departments and other Statutory organisations across all programmes of social care in the Independent Sector, to ensure the maximum number of workers possible will receive the £500 recognition payment.

As a start to this process, on the 29 October 2021 my officials wrote to all Independent Sector care home and domiciliary care providers registered with the RQIA inviting them to identify their qualifying employees. The letter set out details of eligibility criteria and how employers could claim on behalf of their staff.

My officials will continue to engage with all of the above organisations, where relevant, until the process is complete.

A revised FAQ on the special recognition payment has been published on the Department’s website and is available via the following link;

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