Nurses And Midwives In Kerry Express Discontent At Delay In Pandemic Recognition Payment

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NURSES and midwives working in University Hospital Kerry and West Kerry Community hospital have expressed their discontent with the delay in payment of the Pandemic Recognition Payment.

This comes as their employer, the South/South West Hospital Group and Cork Kerry Community Healthcare have delayed the payment date for the Pandemic Recognition Payment from June 30 to July 14.

The INMO have sought clarity for payment date from employers. INMO Industrial Relations Officer, Liam Conway said: “Nurses and midwives in University Hospital Kerry and West Kerry Community hospital feel extremely let down by their employers who have made a last minute decision to delay paying the Pandemic Recognition Payment until the middle of July.

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“It is unacceptable to this trade union that both employers have continuously delayed on this long-awaited payment to our members who stepped up in the middle of a global pandemic that was and continues to be full of unknowns.

“The hospital group informed staff that they expected the Pandemic Recognition Payment to be paid on the 30th of June. Many nurses and midwives calculated this expected payment into their budgets. For this payment to be delayed now is completely unacceptable.

“Hospitals have known exactly how this payment would have to be made since April, it is not good enough to continue to delay,” said Mr Conway.

“I have asked Minister Donnelly on a number of occasions when the Covid Recognition Payment will be made, and in particular, when it will be made in Kerry.  I receive a different answer every time.

Kerry Sinn Fein TD, Pa Daly, has criticised Minister Donnelly for not ensuring that there is complete clarity on when the Covid Recognition Payment will be made.

“Workers in UHK have been let down again with no payment made this week despite that date being committed.  Many of these workers are reliant on the payment to fill oil tanks, purchase school books and pay for school transportation or uniforms,” he said.

“It has become less of a bonus and more of a buffer to pay for essentials. The very least the Minister could do, is to confirm when the payment will be made in Kerry and honour that commitment.”