Offaly and North Tipp staff in St. Cronan's facilities not included in pandemic payment scheme

Saff working at facilities operated by the St. Cronan’s Association in Roscrea, Birr and Nenagh want to be included in the pandemic payment scheme - which was given to healthcare workers who worked during the pandemic.

SIPTU members employed as day services staff by the St. Cronan’s Association, which provides support to adults living with intellectual disabilities at four facilities in the Midlands, have called for their inclusion in the Pandemic Special Recognition Payment (PSRP) scheme.

SIPTU Organiser, Liz Cloherty, said: “The HSE engaged the services of a consultancy firm, KOSI Corporation Ltd, to oversee the roll out of the PSRP scheme to staff in non-HSE and Section 38 agencies last year.

“KOSI Ltd has issued guidelines for the payment to these organisations which state that only workers in Section 39 long-term residential facilities are eligible under the scheme.

“The guidelines omit any mention of payment to staff who provide a day service around the country, including our members who provide care in the St. Cronan’s Association facilities”, she said.

“Our members simply cannot understand why they are not being included along with other employees who are in receipt the PSRP.

“These same members were recognised as a priority for the Covid vaccination programme. Many of the people they supported were unable to wear protective masks.

“They provided personal care and could not practice social distancing from their clients including when they transported them for PCR tests or were requested to go into family homes.

“They played their part in protecting vulnerable adults and our health services during the pandemic. We are calling on common sense to prevail and that day service staff be included in the PSRP scheme,” Liz Cloherty said on Monday.

The St. Cronan’s Association provides day support to adults living with intellectual disabilities and autism at sites in Roscrea and Nenagh in county Tipperary and Birr in county Offaly.