Ireland announces FOUR-DAY St Patrick’s Day weekend as a thank you for the public’s efforts during the Covid pandemic
- Ireland has announced new public holiday to mark sacrifices made in pandemic
- It will fall on March 18 this year, making St Patrick’s Day weekend four days long
- In future years it will be marked on St Brigid’s Day, which lands on February 1
- Ministers also signed off tax-free £800 bonus for frontline healthcare workers
Ireland has announced a four-day St Patrick’s Day weekend this year as a ‘thank you’ to the nation for sacrifices made during the Covid pandemic.
Politicians have announced a new public holiday that will take place this year on March 18, the day after St Patrick’s Day, meaning workers will be off from Thursday until Sunday.
The holiday will then be made permanent, but will fall on St Brigid’s Day – February 1 – in future years.
Ministers have also signed off on a tax-free £800 bonus that will be paid to frontline heathcare workers to thank them for their service.
Ireland has announced an additional public holiday this year which will make the St Patrick’s Day weekend four days long (file image)
The money will be paid to all workers, ambulance staff, student nurses and Defence Forces members who were drafted in to assist with the vaccination roll-out.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said: ‘A long two years since this pandemic began, 9,000 lives have been lost to Covid on the island of Ireland, and millions of lives have been interrupted.
‘Today the Government decided on three actions to remember those who lost their lives to Covid and to recognise all workers, volunteers and members of the general public, who helped us in this fight against the pandemic, and especially frontline healthcare workers.
‘Those who wore masks and gowns, who were exposed to Covid patients and Covid samples in the course of their work every day, even before there were any vaccines.’
Ireland entered its first Covid lockdown on March 12, 2020, just days before St Patrick’s Day celebrations were due to take place.
Despite announcing repeated roadmaps out of restrictions, there were precious few weeks over preceding two years where the nation was entirely free of Covid rules as wave after wave of infections washed up on its shores.
The latest measures were imposed in December, when nightclubs were shut, bars and restaurants given an 8pm curfew, and capacity limits placed on gatherings as the Omicron wave arrived.
But ministers have been voicing hope in recent weeks that curbs could soon be eased as the virus rapidly fades with hospital admissions below previous peaks.
Public expenditure minister Michael McGrath said healthcare workers are owed ‘a national debt of gratitude’.
He said: ‘When this cruel virus prevented family members from being with loved ones, it was our healthcare staff who held their hands and often comforted them in their final hours of their lives.
‘We owe them a national debt of gratitude.
‘While no monetary amount could truly reflect the dedication of healthcare staff on the frontline, the Government believes it is appropriate at this time that a once-off tax-free payment of 1,000 euros will be provided for all eligible public service healthcare and ambulance workers in recognition of their efforts.
‘A pro rata arrangement will apply for part-time staff.’
Mr McGrath said those working in private nursing homes and hospices ‘will also receive tax relief recognition payment’.
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