A one-off payment of €1,000 should be issued to healthcare workers during the May Day Bank Holiday as a gesture of solidarity and appreciation by the Government.
This is the view of Labour Party Galway City West councillor, Niall McNelis, said the payment would be "a symbolic gesture" in recognition of "all the work our healthcare workers have done and will continue to do to keep us safe over the coming days, weeks and months".
The Government have been reluctant to carry out such one-off payments for frontline staff until the current Public Sector Pay Agreement expires later this year. However, a similar payment has been made in France, and in Ireland, some food retailers have offered bonuses to staff who are working at this time.
"Workers in our health service should see some kind of similar tribute to their work," said Cllr McNelis. "The State needs to take on showing our gratitude in a meaningful way that will make an impact on the lives of our healthcare workers."
