AQW 23942/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 08/10/2021
Answered On Date: 04/11/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the COVID-19 special recognition payments for care assistants.

Answer:

As I am sure you are aware special recognition payments to HSC statutory sector employees were paid in July. Delivering this to those employed in the independent care sector has proven to be more complex and challenging.

I can confirm that progress is being made in relation to making the payments to those who work in the Independent Sector. On the 29 October 2021 a letter was issued to all Independent Sector care home and domiciliary care providers registered with the RQIA inviting them to identify their qualifying employees. The letter provided details of eligibility criteria and how the employer should claim on behalf of their staff.

Once a claim has been verified by the Business Services Organisation (BSO), payments will be made to each provider in advance of them making payment to their staff.

Where staff worked for an independent care provider during the qualifying period, whether for the full qualifying period or in part, it is that provider’s responsibility to ensure a claim is submitted and they make subsequent arrangements to pass this payment on to the relevant individual.

In recognition of the administrative process involved in identifying and providing staff details, a fee of £12.60 per individual is available to each provider.

Employers are required to complete and submit claims and relevant documentation, no later than 30 November 2021. It is expected that payments will be made by Business Services Organisation (BSO) within a maximum of 4 weeks of receipt of a verified claim, accompanied by the correct background documentation to support the payment process. Likewise it is expected that independent care providers will make arrangements to pay staff as soon as possible after the payment is received.

Due to the transient nature of staff employed in the independent sector, some people may have moved to another employer. The letter issued on the 29th October, also references future arrangements for those in this position. At this stage my officials are asking providers to submit a claim for eligible staff who are still currently employed by them.

A revised FAQ on the special recognition payment has been published on the Department’s website and is available via the following link;

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs