AQW 27/22-27
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 16/05/2022
Answered On Date: 18/05/2022
Priority Written: Yes
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health (i) to detail the issues that have caused the delay to phase two of the £500 COVID recognition payment for health and social care workers; and (ii) for an update on when these workers will receive this payment.
Answer:
Phase 2 had been temporarily paused to allow officials to seek clarity on a number of issues raised relating to the impact of the increase in national insurance contributions which are included as part of the payment provided to the former employer. A further letter was issued to employers on 14 April providing clarity on the issues raised and confirming recommencement of the payment process. Claims are being processed by BSO in date order when all relevant information is provided by the claimants. No date has been set for the closure of the scheme and claims will continue to be processed by the Business Services Organisation during 2022/23 therefore I am not in a position to provide a date as to when all payments will be made. I can confirm that as at 11 May 2022, a total of over £16.6m has been paid out under Phase 1 to independent sector care home and domiciliary care providers covering 28,314 individuals. As at the same date £2.1m has been paid out to 5,027 individuals under Phase 2; these payments include staff previously employed in independent sector care home and domiciliary care providers who have since moved employer or left the sector, and staff employed with eligible day opportunity providers and buildings-based day services. In addition we have also opened the Scheme to eligible applicants in the following groups, Personal Assistants employed by Independent Living Fund recipients, Thalidomide Health Grant recipients, and Personal Assistants employed by those in receipt of Direct Payments from HSC Trusts. This element of the scheme was launched on 23 March and is being delivered by ILF Scotland for the payments, Scotland Excel who set up and run the online portal, and SDS Scotland who manage the dedicated helpline. These delivery partners were heavily involved in delivering the equivalent scheme for the Scottish Government. To date £300k has been paid to 863 individuals. To encourage uptake on this element Trusts have now written to all individuals in receipt of direct payments. My officials are also finalising arrangements to include eligible staff whose employers are no longer trading and I hope to be in a position to include this cohort of individuals in the coming weeks. A FAQ on the Special Recognition Payment has been published on the Department’s website as below:- https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-recognition-payment-faqs This continues to be updated with relevant information as each phase of the claims process progresses. I remain personally committed to ensuring the recognition payment will be paid to independent sector staff as soon as it is practicable.
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