Press release
Minister for Health opens Death in Service Ex-Gratia Scheme for Healthcare Workers
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has opened the Death in Service Ex-Gratia Scheme for applications.
Following Cabinet approval for the scheme in March this year, the Department of Health has worked with Pobal to put in place a straightforward application process for impacted families. The scheme consists of a tax-free payment of €100,000 to the estate of any healthcare worker who has died having contracted COVID-19 in the course of their work.
Eligibility has been specified broadly with all healthcare workers designated ‘essential’ during the first phases of the pandemic included. This includes GPs and others working in primary care, including administrative staff. It also includes disability services staff, private staff in nursing homes and throughout the healthcare system (see below for full list).
This payment is in addition to any other arrangements a person may have in place or benefit that may be payable on death and does not impact their legal rights. It will be made in addition to any other benefit that may be payable and is open to the families of workers from across the healthcare system who have passed away.
Minister Donnelly said:
"Today is an important day and offers another means for us as a country to recognise the significant contribution our healthcare workers made to Ireland’s response to COVID-19. Since March 2020, we have asked them to assume an unknown level of risk in their work, and, unfortunately, many healthcare workers contracted COVID-19 in work and a small number sadly passed away.
"Myself and my colleagues in Government are aware of tragic cases where families have been left without income at a time of extraordinary grief. This payment offers some support from the state to provide for the family’s needs, while also serving as a real acknowledgement of the debt of gratitude all of us across the country feel to the extraordinary sacrifices of their loved ones."
Applications for the Death in Service scheme will be made through Pobal, which works on behalf of Government to support communities and local agencies toward achieving social inclusion and development. Pobal have substantial experience in managing payment schemes. It is possible that some claims may be paid at end 2022, but the majority are expected in 2023.
The HPSC reports that 23 healthcare workers have died having contracted COVID-19 as of 17 August 2022: with the majority of these deaths occurring in the first year of the pandemic.
€100,000 to the legal personal representative (executor/administrator) of the deceased person.
In order to apply, a family will need to complete a claim form. The claim form is available on the Pobal website.
This should be read in conjunction with the claimant guideline document. The completed claim form and supporting documentation can be submitted to Pobal in either of the following ways:
Eligibility will extend to the estate of all workers who worked in the provision of:
(a) hospital services
(b) therapy services provided by a member of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005)
(c) services relating to public health, including services relating to:
(i) the identification, tracing and contacting of persons who have been in contact with persons who have been diagnosed, or are suspected of having been infected, with COVID-19, and
(ii) the testing of persons for COVID-19
(d) laboratory services
(e) drug treatment and addiction services
(f) hospice services
(g) pharmacy services
(h) primary care and general and specialist medical practice activities
(i) dental services
(j) blood donation and related services
(k) tissue or organ donation and related services
(l) residential care services (including nursing care, mental health and substance abuse services, services for elderly persons and persons with disabilities) and children’s residential services
(m) homecare, home help and other health services in the community
(n) social work and social care services, (including disability services, mental health services, child protection and welfare services, domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services) and homeless services including homeless outreach services
(o) paramedical, ambulance and pre-hospital care services
(p) services provided by minor injury units
(q) maternity services
(r) food safety and environmental services