Just 11 relatives of healthcare workers who suffered Covid-related death claimed €100,000 ex-gratia payment

It comes as overall Covid-19 related deaths have breached 9,000 for the first time since the pandemic.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said of the 11 applications for ex-gratia payments, eight have been approved.

“Of the eight approved, five have been paid to claimants and Pobal are awaiting grants of probate for the other three claims.

“Three new claims have been received in the last few weeks and are currently being processed by Pobal, which is administering the scheme.”

She added: “While we cannot be certain of the total number of healthcare workers whose families may be eligible for this payment, we know that the number of deaths in this cohort was low. The department has contacted local HR departments of healthcare facilities where it is known that a healthcare worker who died was employed to ensure that families are aware of the scheme.”

The tax-free payment will not impact their right to go to court for compensation.

The department has contacted local human resources departments of healthcare facilities where it is known that a healthcare worker was employed, in order to encourage relatives to apply.

According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), 23 healthcare workers who contracted Covid-19 have died since the start of the pandemic.

Last September, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he had received approval for the scheme and it included deceased healthcare workers who were designated “essential” during the first phases of the pandemic.

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.

This payment is in addition to any other arrangements a person may have in place – for example, HSE employees may be entitled to an injury grant based on a multiple of their salary – or benefit that may be payable on death and does not impact their legal rights.

Meanwhile, the number of Covid-19-related deaths overall has reached 9,028 although the real number is likely to be higher because of a delay of up to three months allowed for notification.

Covid-19 related deaths have fallen dramatically in the first four months of this year – down to 399 compared to 1,268 during the same period last year.

So far in the pandemic the county with the highest rate of deaths per 100,000 is Mayo, followed by Monaghan, Louth, Cavan, Carlow, Kildare and Roscommon. The lowest rates are in Galway and Kerry.

More than one in two people died in hospital.

Hospitals are continuing to see cases, mostly among patients who are admitted for another illness. There were 120 patients with Covid-19 in hospital yesterday, including nine in intensive care.

Spring booster vaccines are no longer available during the summer. This is to ensure that people who are at the highest risk of severe illness have the recommended minimum of three months interval in advance of them becoming eligible for their booster to cover them through the autumn and winter.

A small number of vaccination clinics will remain open over the summer, mainly for children in the age groups six months to four years, and five years to 11 years .GPs and pharmacists will continue to provide vaccines for pregnant women.