The Labour Party is calling for front-line healthcare workers to be handed a one-off payment of €1,000.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, the party’s new leader Alan Kelly said the one-off solidarity payment would “show healthcare workers that we appreciate their putting their lives on the line.”

“We know they are going above and beyond anything they have ever experienced before – in many cases exposing themselves to COVID-19,” he said. “Many are isolating themselves from their families.”

“This brings about practical extra costs when it comes to accommodation, childcare, transport and meal provision.

“The staff do all they are doing so they can continue to treat patients while working extra shifts. As I know from quite personal experience, they sometimes do so without adequate personal protective equipment.”

He said the payment should be made on May 1st to mark International Workers’ Day.

“I have repeatedly said, since the beginning of this crisis, that our front-line healthcare workers would be our heroes in all of this – and they have been,” he said.

“They have put their lives on the line every day so all of the rest of us can stay well.

“I pay tribute to them and to the two heroes who lost their lives in St Luke's hospital, Kilkenny, in the past couple of days.”

He also acknowledged the work of “gardaí, firefighters, staff in An Post and all in retail who are ensuring the continuation of our supply chains.”