HEALTH SERVICES

Death in Service Ex-Gratia Scheme for healthcare workers

For families of healthcare workers who died from Covid-19

Deborah Condon

September 16, 2022

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  • A scheme which will pay €100,000 to the families of healthcare workers who died after contracting Covid-19 during the course of their work has been opened.

    According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, as of mid-August 2022, 23 healthcare workers had died after contracting Covid-19, with most of these deaths occurring in the first year of the pandemic.

    The Death in Service Ex-Gratia Scheme was approved by the government last March and is now open to impacted families. It applies to all healthcare workers who were designated ‘essential’ during the first phases of the pandemic. This includes hospital staff, primary care staff, laboratory staff, residential care staff, hospice staff, pharmacy staff and homecare/home help workers.

    This tax-free payment is in addition to any other arrangements a person may have had in place or benefit that may have been payable on death and does not impact their legal rights. It will be made in addition to any other benefit that may be payable and is open to the families of workers from across the healthcare system who have died.

    Applications for the scheme will be made through Pobal, which works on behalf of Government to support communities and local agencies toward achieving social inclusion and development. Pobal have substantial experience in managing payment schemes.

    Deaths where the whole or main cause of death is Covid-19 and where there is evidence of Covid-19 in the workplace around the time of infection will be approved for payment.

    In circumstances where there is doubt over medical evidence, Pobal will seek an opinion from the Department of Health. In circumstances where there is doubt over cause of transmission, Pobal will seek evidence from the place of employment and from the applicant.

    Payments will only be made to the 'legal personal representative' of the deceased - this is the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate where the deceased died intestate.

    It is possible that some claims may be paid at the end of 2022, but the majority are expected to be paid in 2023.

    In order to apply, a family will need to complete a claim form, which is available here.

    © Medmedia Publications/MedMedia News 2022